Five4PFC 5k – October 31, 2015 – Dorothea Dix Campus – Raleigh NC
A new race in Raleigh that benefits mental health awareness and crisis intervention. The course is USATF certified and looks like it will be rolling with no major hills. Fleet Feet gift certificates are awarded to top overall finishers.
FROM THE RACE ORGANIZERS
I am Anna Parrish, the founder of the race Five4PFC. I am a sixteen year old rising junior from Apex, North Carolina.
I have suffered through an eating disorder that took over my body, obsessive compulsive disorder and attention deficit disorder which controlled my movements, major depression which overtook my thoughts, major anxiety which took over my grades, and finally suicidal thoughts, actions, and self harm which nearly stole my life.
I began my struggle in the middle of seventh grade. I always seemed to be bubbly and happy, which is why I never received the help I needed until the end of eighth grade. I’ve always had a love for theater, specifically musical theater, which taught me how to put on a convincing happy face. I felt the need to put on this happy face because I did not want to financially or mentally burden my parents. A teacher notified my mom that I might have developed an eating disorder in eighth grade, which I was confronted about in the most loving way by my wonderful parents. By that time, I had lost more than twenty five pounds. I was then sent to therapy. One thing led to another, and all of my dark secrets held by my demons were spilled.
I have been on the road to recovery for over a year and a half now. I encounter disordered thoughts every day, but I’ve learned to tame them and realize they are invalid.
From the troubles I’ve faced, I’ve come to know that help is out there. There is hope and help for everyone. With this race, let’s help people realize that they are not alone. We, together, can help change people’s lives for the better.
PFC stands for “prefrontal cortex”. This is the part of the brain that controls mental wellness by performing executive functions like mediating conflicting thoughts and making choices. Five4PFC is a 5k walk/run to raise awareness of the fight against mental diseases and the social stigma that prevents many from getting help they need. It will also raise funds that we will distribute to NAMI, the nation’s largest grassroots, non-profit mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness, and The Trevor Project, the leading non-profit organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to young people ages 13-24.
INFORMATION/REGISTRATION
Haywood Gym, Dorothea Dix Hospital Campus
805 Ruggles Drive
Raleigh NC 27603
Race starts at 2 PM.
