National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts Inc

Hey everybody,

With 2020 being such a tumultuous year with COVID-19 impact the globe mental illness rates have risen dramatically this past year. As a result we have partnered up with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts to raise money to help provide mental health resources to those in need.

To support this amazing foundation we will be running a half marathon! The run will take place on March 13th, 2021 (day after Colby's Birthday!). Please donate and support spreading mental health awareness and resources around our local community. Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us!

More information about National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI Massachusetts): Our mission is to improve the quality of life both for people living with mental illnesses and for their families.

I am taking off on a cross country journey with two of my best friends. We will be biking from Jacksonville, Florida to San Francisco, California within the next couple of months. After all the ups and downs 2020 has brought, I wanted to end this year by doing something positive for not only myself, but my community and those who are affected by mental health and substance abuse disorders. 

I have decided to commit myself to this journey in the hopes to raise awareness about this cause, which I am very passionate about. I have been personally affected by mental health issues within my family, which has then resulted in substance abuse disorder. I have seen first hand how much these issues can affect people as well as their families and friends. Millions of families are affected by this every single day. I think it is so important (particularly amongst young people) to raise awareness about mental health and fight to end the stigma attached with it.

I will be raising money for NAMI Massachusetts, which is a National Nonprofit Organization that offers support and resources for hundreds of thousands of families throughout the US. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Raising funds for this organization will help support much needed programs for clients and their families regardless of their financial situation.

One of my primary goals for this fundraiser is to ensure that everyone reading this whether it be yourself, a family member, or a friend has the resources they need. And if anyone ever needs someone to talk to, my door is always open!

We will be biking around 3,200 miles with limited supplies, tents and sleeping bags. I will be posting updates on my instagram @sleeep_9, and would love if you could follow along! Your support would mean the world to me!

So please join us in our fight against the stigma surrounded by these issues. Donate if you’re able, follow along with our journey, and spread awareness!

I'm Daniel, a senior at Montgomery high school. I love running and am a passionate mental health advocate, so I decided to combine the two by running a marathon for mental health awareness. I chose this charity because I've seen firsthand the devastating impact that mental illnesses can have on people.

When one of my closest friends was diagnosed with a mental illness, she was alienated and labeled as "crazy". She had to bear not only the symptoms of her mental illness, but also society's reaction to her.
 Yet I believe this is more due to ignorance than cruelty.
People know little about what being mentally ill entails, and those who are mentally ill are oftentimes too afraid of judgement to seek help. For some reason, it's completely fine to visit a doctor, yet it's embarrassing and shameful to visit a therapist.

Although NAMI does not aim to cure mental illnesses,  by increasing society's understanding of mental illnesses and compassion for those affected, it surely will improve lives. #GoBeyondGiving

Avecto nominated mental health awareness as our company cause for FY 16.  All U.S. donations for this year will go towards NAMI Massachusetts!