Ironman for Max: Raising Mental Health Awareness
Tax deductible
As many of you know, I decided about 10 months ago to start training for an Ironman Race. Completing an Ironman had always been on my bucket list, and then last November, my daughter, Anna, tore her ACL. After her surgery, the reality set in about how hard her journey would be to get back to playing the sport she loved. It was then that I decided to take on the training. Although our journeys looked and were very different, I wanted her to feel supported and see that you can do hard things. She worked hard and trained hard, and I did the same. There were days she wanted to quit and days that I wanted to quit, but we kept each other going.
Then, this past April, my 26-year-old nephew, Max, died by suicide. Our family was faced with the unimaginable loss of a loved one. After months of thinking about Max and grappling with his death and all the why's that come with it, I decided I didn't want his death to go unseen. I wanted to use his death as an opportunity to spread awareness for mental health. At first, I wasn't sure how I was going to do it, and then one night, I woke up remembering how a year ago my daughter talked about becoming an ambassador for a foundation called Morgan's Message. I woke up the next morning and looked it up. I knew immediately that this is what I wanted to be involved in and support.
Morgan died by suicide 5 years ago.
Morgan’s Message® is a 501(c)(3) that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
They aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone. Morgan's Message aims to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.
Their mission is to amplify stories, resources, and expertise to strengthen student-athlete mental health, build a community by and for athletes through peer-to-peer conversations, and provide a platform for advocacy. Here is a link to their website and her story.
After losing our nephew, so many of us continue to ask ourselves what we could have done. Could I have done something different? I know I can't bring Max back, but I am determined to help spread awareness and help in trying to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. I am 10 days out of Ironman Florida. I am reaching out to you all and asking if you would support me in any way you can as I race to finish and raise money for this wonderful foundation.
On Nov 2nd, I will be racing for my daughter Anna, for my nephew Max and for all those who have struggled with mental health and who have felt alone.
If what we raise can support this cause and help even just one person, I know Max would be smiling down on us all.
Thank you for considering supporting me and this wonderful foundation.
Kelly
Organizer
Kelly Bitsko
Organizer
Tuckahoe, VA
Morgan's Message INC
Beneficiary