NAMIWalksTHE CORTEX VORTEX -
Saturday, June 1, 2024 – 8:00am – 11:00am
Marina Park - 25 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland, WA 98033
I would be incredibly grateful for you to join my team, The Cortex Vortex, in raising awareness and funds for local families in need. June 1, 2024, we are hosting a fundraiser and walk to bring attention to this important cause. Our goal is to shine a light on the friends, families, and caregivers who take care of loved ones who suffer from mental illness in our community.
My experience has led me to discover NAMI; an organization that has deeply impacted myself and my circle. I want to provide others with the support that I received in my time of need. NAMI gave me focus and understand when I lost a loved one to mental illness.
In my lowest moments – I was held and cared for by my family and my dearest companions. They dropped the world so they could pick me up, I am forever in their debt. To every stranger that cheered me, to each hug I received, to the infinite pairs of ears that listened – you helped me. This is for every parent, child, sibling, and partner who made themselves vulnerable to give me advice. To my campfire boys, you know who you are.
The National Alliance of Mental Illness is an organization that offers a plethora of free services including support groups, helplines, libraries, and courses called Family-to-Family. These 8-week classes cover a range of education on how mental illness sometimes develops, its signs, and ways to cope as you support a loved one who is suffering. Taking care of yourself gives you the strength for when they are ready to ask for your help and the space to heal yourself. Do not blame yourself for someone else’s illness. The 12 Principles of Support start and end with the most important lessons; First, “We will see the individual first, not the illness” and last, “We will never give up hope”.
Join me! Donate, walk on the team, and share with your friends & family! Show up and help support this wonderful and necessary cause! Share your stories, reach out to a friend, and hug a loved one. Please contact me with any questions or resources you are looking for and I will connect you to the correct staff. I can’t wait to see you there, bring your pups!
Your captain thanks you,
Jesse R. Galarza
jessegalarza@me.com
The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – CALL 988 – “80% of crises are resolved on the phone”
https://www.namiwalks.org/team/cortex