We are almost one month away from the National Run for Women’s Mental Health Day (Sunday, September 27).
In 2017, I participated in my first SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for Women and I was very impressed by the whole experience. I am not a competitive runner and I was new to this kind of event. I didn’t have much to compare it to but I didn’t expect it to be so… inspiring. Honestly, I thought races would be simply tiring and sweaty and possibly heart-attack inducing but not INSPIRING. It was really nice. I remember how I felt being there. I was buoyed by the crowd and it was amazing. And I was thrilled that it raised funds for women’s mental health at The Royal. (Little did I know at the time that two years later I’d actually be working there!)
So with all of this in mind, I eagerly signed up for the 2020 edition of the Run for Women back in the fall. I’m still not much of a runner, and I never will be, but I knew I could definitely do a 5K walk. It’s what I do every day! Easy breezy, plus, it’s for a great cause, right? Well, guess what happened between then and now – er, a global pandemic – and so this year’s in-person run had to be cancelled. But organizers decided the need for women’s mental health funding is more important than ever and the SHOW HAD TO GO ON, so this year’s run is a virtual one instead. There will be a sizable swag bag for runners but no bustling crowd, no high fives, bagels or bananas at the finish line. I am ok with this. I will do my 5K quietly, by myself, and ask my family for high fives and bagels. But here’s where you come in, would you consider throwing a buck or two in my donation jar? Mental health support for women has always been important, but it’s an especially critical time and support is truly needed.
If you’d like to make a donation to my fundraising page you can do that right here.*
And of course, you can also sign up for this virtual run! Your registration fee and fundraising dollars all go to support mental health in Ottawa. That’s a big win!
Thank you, friends!
** p.s. In the spirit of TOTAL AND COMPLETE HONESTY I will admit that I’m on a work team and I’d secretly like to blow everyone’s minds and be the new girl who raised the most money. So if you can help me do that I’d really appreciate it. :D
