I’ve posted before about “The Chocolate Race . A wonderful opportunity for us to raise awareness and support for the “Anxiety Disorder Association of Canada” as well as enjoy the outdoors with others who lives have been touched by mental health issues.

My involvement in the race is quite simple in that I want awareness to be spread about mental health issues and since it’s such a part of my life I want to support those organizations that dedicate themselves to making us well and feeling like we all belong. If you’d like to read more about my involvement just go to my fundraising page.

It is my honour today to have the race director Diane Chesla be a part of my blog. I asked her if she could share some words with my blogging audience. It has been a wonderful experience to connect with Diane as she in my opinion is quite incredible to have this race come to life. I thank her for doing all that she does and thank her as well for taking some time out to talk to us.

The Chocolate Race – Redefining “Crazy”

Mental illness is so un-sexy. It’s not fair. And it’s so hush hush. We can’t talk about our worst, irrational fears like we can talk about the physical manifestations of illness within our bodies.

But what if we paired mental illness with something really fun…like chocolate? And what if it was also paired with running? What in turn is this saying to the world?

It was not my initial intention to create a race to raise funds and awareness about mental illness. When the opportunity came up however, I took it and this year The Chocolate Race is doing a fundraiser for Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada (ADAC).

As with many charitable organizations, ADAC is greatly in needs of funds. For both myself and many of the fundraisers, partnering with ADAC is about more than just raising money. It represents a chance to speak up about mental illness. It’s a chance to talk frankly about the various ways it manifests itself among us. It’s a chance to share with a stranger who is going through something similar.

And pairing mental illness with chocolate and running…well it’s a chance to say to the world, “Mental illness is not crazy. Running and eating chocolate – Now that’s crazy! Therefore – I must be crazy! Won’t you join me?”

Diane Chesla
Race Director
The Chocolate Race

If you’d like to join us or would like to make a donation please go to “The Chocolate Race” for more information. I’m very happy about my fundraising efforts because I am only $30.00 away from my goal of $500.00. Each and every penny makes a difference.