Please help to support our dear friend Graeme

Hey, this is Graeme,

Some things need tears, not words, to express. And this is one of them. If tears were words, count the ones below, they all say Thank You.

First, please read the original campaign text after my note. It’s from my friends Nancy and Matt; it was their idea. After a hospital stay for depression, I will be returning home to Florida for a while to work on my health; this money will help with moving costs and getting back on my feet.

If I don't call to thank you personally, it's because I can barely speak on phone because my voice breaks in gratitude.

During a heavy downpour as tropical storm Debby was passing through Philadelphia recently, I had to go to the Korean deli down the block. I was walking in the humid rain-streaked bubble around everyone on the street and I thought to myself: The harder it is to ask for help, the more you need to.

I am not the only person in need. You yourself may be giving—and not just here, but in your life—when you also need help. That could be money like me, a hand to hold, or just a phone call. And you might have to make the first move by reaching out to someone you trust. One of my benchmarks for knowing when I need help is this: When the answer to “What's wrong?” is “What isn’t?”

Thank you for viewing, writing, giving and forwarding. They all help, and they help raise visibility for mental health.

Love,

Graeme

-- ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN TEXT --

Our dear friend Graeme is going through a tough time. We've all been there at one point or another. Whether it's aging parents, COVID, a divorce, or just that life got too dang hard.

Graeme was hopsitalized for depression for a week and was dealing with a depressive episode for about six months before that. As we all know, a lot can happen in six months.

We would appreciate if you could find it in your heart to donate to our Graemey as he works to lift himself up. A boost is all any of us really need and that's exactly what we're requesting for our wonderful friend who has been there for us many, many times.

When my dad died, Graeme knew how close I was to him. I was out on Long Island, alone with my mom who absolutely could not cope with the loss. Dad was her best friend, so it was tough to expect her to get up each day, much less function, without my dad. I had no room or time or energy to mourn my father, but when Graeme called (as he did almost every day), he gave me the space to do that. He'd make me laugh, he'd let me cry, he'd let me complain and he'd let me be me.

Now, I ask that we be there for him.

Any amount is greaty appreciated.

Big hugs,

Nancy, Matt and Graeme (friends since 1989)

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