On October 19th, I’ll be running the Suffolk County Marathon to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

I’m racing for the Jay and Luke Wisler Campaign, created in memory of my Uncle Jay and my younger cousin Luke, both of whom we tragically lost to suicide. All proceeds will benefit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), supporting critical work in mental health support, awareness, and suicide prevention.

My family has felt the impact of suicide firsthand. In 2017, we lost my Uncle Jay. Just this past November, we lost Luke. He would have turned 21 this April. Their losses shattered me, and I never want another family to experience this pain.

Luke’s laugh, curiosity, and kind heart remain with us all. This campaign is how I keep his spirit alive. It’s how I fight for a world where no one feels alone in their darkest hour.

Every year, more than 49,000 people die by suicide—that’s one death every 11 minutes. Over 12.8 million adults seriously contemplate suicide annually. These aren’t just numbers. These are real people. Sons. Daughters. Friends. Family.

Every step of this 26.2-mile race is for them. For Jay, for Luke, for every life lost, and for everyone still fighting silently.

This will be my first marathon. It won’t be easy, but I’m not running it alone. I know Jay and Luke will be with me, every mile, every stride.

We need your help. Please consider sharing this story, donating, and spreading the word. The more awareness we raise, the more lives we can impact.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for standing with us.

I’ll see you at the finish line on October 19th.