A MESSAGE FROM Cody
I am running to raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (better known as NAMI) and to pay tribute to my late stepbrother, Casey, who tragically passed in January.
For those of you who never met him, Casey was smart, handsome, athletic, and creative. He had an insatiable appetite for information, a golf swing fit for the PGA tour, and a belly laugh that would rattle the floorboards of our family cabin in Maine. Like 1 in 4 adults, Casey also suffered from mental illness. Despite his courage and dogged pursuit of contentment, Casey’s life was taken from him at the age of 35.
No family can ever heal wholly from such a devastating loss, but we will always hold Casey’s spirit with us and remember fondly the moments that shaped his time with us. The bear hugs, family vacations, driveway basketball games, and birthday phone calls.
Casey was a vocal advocate for the needs and challenges of individuals with mental health conditions. He spoke openly and bravely of his experience in the healthcare system and the stigma he endured. To carry forward Casey’s legacy, I’ll be running the 26.2 miles with Team NAMI this November. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy.
Please consider making a donation to my personal fundraising campaign to help the millions of Americans like Casey and the families that love and support them.
