Loudoun Nonprofit To Hold Virtual 5K For Mental Health Awareness

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — This Is My Brave, a national mental health nonprofit based in Loudoun County, is hosting its first virtual 5K benefit event June 26-28. People across Northern Virginia and the rest of the country are invited to register to run, walk, bike, or hike 5K over the last weekend in June in the location of their choice.

Registrants should make sure to practice social distancing when participating in the 5K event in their hometowns. Registration is free for the Brave The Storm 5k, with the option to donate and fundraise. All participants will be emailed a print-at-home bib to wear while completing the 5K.

T-shirts are available. This Is My Brave earns a small donation for all t-shirt orders. The t-shirts are set up as a fundraiser through the t-shirt company Bonfire. Unless participants registered before June 8, t-shirts will arrive at participants' homes sometime after race weekend.

"This 5K is important because our country and our world are hurting right now, and mental health needs to be prioritized," Jennifer Marshall, co-founder and executive director of This Is My Brave, said Thursday in a statement.

One in five American adults face mental health issue. This Is My Brave aims to end the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness through storytelling. The group seeks to celebrate the stories of people living successful lives with mental health and substance use disorders.

Since its first show in 2014 in Arlington, "This Is My Brave: The Show" has featured more than 825 people sharing their stories in 70 performances across the United States and in Australia.

"At This Is My Brave, we believe that storytelling saves lives and even though we cannot gather together in person right now, we can come together to spread hope and awareness," Marshall said. "Together, we can weather this storm and come out stronger than before."

Participants can fundraise by setting up their own personal fundraising pages. This Is My Brave is offering the following incentives for fundraisers:

• Raise $250 — Receive a This Is My Brave care package thanking you for your efforts.
• Raise $500 — Receive a This Is My Brave care package and This Is My Brave mug thanking you for your efforts.
• Raise $1,000 — Receive a This Is My Brave care package, This Is My Brave mug, and This Is My Brave sweatshirt thanking you for your efforts.