Those who are close to myself and my family know how important shattering the stigmas around mental health is.
For those who don’t know our story, we have an 11 year old, Jack, who has been receiving care at NCH for behavioral health since he was 8.  When he was just 8 years old, Jack began showing signs of heightened anxiety, depression and suicide ideation.  
In the past 3 years we have had multiple ER visits,  calls to the Franklin county youth crisis line and a wonderful team of doctors and counselors who are helping to light the path of our journey.
Although everyday is far from perfect, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the strength and determination of Jack and endless support from friends, family, teachers and the hospital.
As a family, we want nothing more than to break down the walls of the stigma surrounding mental health issues by talking about it, sharing our story and helping others.  
Although this year looks a little different, we hope you will help support this wonderful cause with us and shatter stigmas.

The Butterfly Run, presented by Big Lots, is a community fitness event to grow awareness, break stigmas, and raise funds for lifesaving pediatric behavioral health research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. More than just another 5K run and walk, The Butterfly Run is an event for anyone around the country to come together to advocate and improve outcomes for children living with mental illness. Invest in the future of children's mental health.  Join me in this On Our Sleeves movement for children’s mental health.

All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged by Nationwide Children’s Foundation.

On behalf of the patients and families of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, thank you for your support!