Erika’s Lighthouse is a non-profit organization that believes that every student should have the knowledge and tools they need to care for their mental health. They provide a high-quality, comprehensive depression education and suicide prevention curriculum to school districts across the country, at zero cost. Every student. Every classroom. Every school.

Looking back on my school years, I now understand that I was struggling with undiagnosed depression tied to C-PTSD and grief from events that transpired in my early childhood and teens.

My grades slipped. I struggled to keep up with basic responsibilities. Instead of anyone asking why, I was left to fall behind at a time when I already felt deeply alone and misunderstood. No one talked to me about mental health, and I had nowhere to process what I was going through. One teacher even denied writing a letter of recommendation for my college applications, because she felt I had become a "bad student." 

Movement became my only outlet to process emotions. And while I’ve since built a more robust mental health toolkit full of writing, therapy, and community -- exercise and running remain a core part of how I take care of my mind.

That’s why I’m so proud to be running the Chicago Marathon in support of Erika’s Lighthouse—an organization working to equip schools with the tools to recognize and support students facing depression.

Every mile I'll run during my training and on race day will be to support the kids going through something similar -- and for the version of me who went through it alone.

If you're able to give, every donation will help kids receive support when it matters most. 

Thank you!