A MESSAGE FROM Martha Matters
Welcome to my fundraising page for the Chicago Marathon! My name is Laura Cranfill and I will be running for The NoStigmas foundation. The NoStigmas’ mission is to ensure that no one faces mental health challenges alone. NoStigmas helps those in need. They provide a safe space for those like me, you, friends, and family.
Teaming up with the NoStigmas to raise awareness is an honor.
I want to share the raw truth of addiction and the possibility of recovery. Mental health challenges, addiction, and homelessness has been present my entire life through myself and loved ones. My goal is to help others realize what took me almost losing my life to realize. They are loved and worth living a life full of serenity. You are worth it.
In 2019, my excessive alcohol abuse landed me in and out of hospitals for months. I was in liver failure. Liver failure at the age of 31. The slow death I had set into motion was finally there to claim me, but I fought. I was able to maintain my sobriety for about the next 11 months. Then back to rehab I went. I had been down this slippery slope before and knew I needed help. July 2021 I was released from rehab and continued out patient for the next 9 months. The last drink I took was December 6, 2021.
10 months into my recovery I lost my sister. My sister, my guardian, my hero, my best friend passed away. The ultimate test for my recovery.
Martha Meghan battled drug addiction for over twenty years and October 21, 2022 her disease with addiction and mental health won. We had both tried to find recovery together in the last couple years before her passing. All the pieces of me shattered as my recovery requested more. What an easy excuse to use to drink. Right? Of all excuses that one surely is valid. No. I rewrote those words so they would fit me. This was an easy excuse for me to remain sober. I choose to feel the raw deep emotions presented. I will not hide. I will not drown my tears with drops of alcohol. My recovery, the reality of her addiction, and the struggle with her mental health is personal. Recovery is hard. Addiction is hard. Mental health is hard. I pick my hard daily. I am true to myself and Martha by facing my fears and remaining sober. It matters.
Which brings me to my fundraising name “Martha Matters” The name choice is a fun spin off of Marshall Mathers to honor my sister’s love for Eminem and his music and to remind everyone in or out of addiction and struggle with their mental health, that “it” matters.
I matter.
She matters.
They matter.
You matter.
In life and in death it all matters.
We are all worthy. Do the best you can for that day and remember the power of 24 hours.
Please donate and help me raise awareness. I am grateful to be here today and be able to run for The NoStigmas’ foundation. I appreciate their mission and the impact it has on loved ones who are trying to find their way. I believe in them. I believe in you. I believe in us. Help me advocate for those who are silently battling. To learn more please visit NoStigmas on all social media platforms!!
Follow my journey in running and advocating on all social media platforms
Insta: lauramcniven
FB: Laura McNiven
TikTok: @martha.matters
See you all at the finish line
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