This summer the Hope for Depression Research Foundation faced a tough choice: either cancel its marquee summer event in Southampton, the 5K Race of Hope, or move the race to a virtual format due to covid restrictions.

The virtual choice felt less than ideal, because the whole point of the race is to bring people together in community.

Eric Dane from Grey’s Anatomy served as an Ambassador of HOPE

So HDRF invented a bold new concept:  a virtual race paired with a live broadcast show to allow participants to see each other and feel the fun of the starting line. On Sunday, August 2, the charity produced a live show, streamed online, that brought together some 800 participants across the country in real time as part of its Virtual Race of Hope to Defeat Depression, Summer 2020. The event raised $200,000 for advanced depression research, and Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane participated in the broadcast as a Race Ambassador.

“We were amazed by the response not only from our loyal Southampton community, but from runners and walkers across the nation,” said HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Gruss, who was a Co-Grand Marshal of the Race along with HDRF Advisory Board members and Hamptons residents Arthur Dunnam and Jamee Gregory. “When we decided to take the race virtual, we vowed not to lose the shared experience and sense of community that is so healthy and that we all crave.”

Added Arthur Dunnam: “We were able to touch base with so many people from all over who checked in to the live broadcast. Adversity sometimes has a silver lining. This virtual year we got to do it a little differently, which is very cool.”

Participant Kate Powell of Cromwell, CT, said after the race: “Because of the virtual starting line, I felt like I was part of a group, even if we weren’t physically together. Thanks to everyone for such a great experience.”

Creating the Starting Line Experience Virtually

The Race of Hope to Defeat Depression is a 5K Walk/Run traditionally held in Southampton, NY in August and draws hundreds of participants each year since its launch in 2015. This year, participants were invited to complete the race in two ways: Participants were invited to run or walk the race at any time from wherever they were in the country and send in selfie photos or videos to be played during the live broadcast on August 2.   They also received great gear in the mail to wear for their races.  Registered participants could also elect to complete the race in any chosen location at the designated start time of 8:30 am EDT on Sunday, August 2. For example, Natasha Daniels-Jefferies walked the traditional 5K course in Southampton around Lake Agawam with her family in honor of her late son, Dakari, who several years ago died by suicide after a long struggle with depression.

For a half hour before the 8:30 AM starting gun, the broadcast posted written comments from participants as they logged in to share their locations and reasons for joining the event. Many were up at the crack of dawn to join from different time zones such as California.

Celebrity race ambassador Eric Dane, star of Grey’s Anatomy, cheered runners in a signature Race of Hope windbreaker from Los Angeles before taking off on the 5k race himself. Days before the race, Eric took to Instagram to show his support for the race and to discuss the importance of HDRF’s advanced depression research.

At a time of great strain to world mental health, Jamee Gregory stated: “The Hope for Depression Research Foundation serves as a beacon of light — discovering the nation’s finest neuroscientists and funding their combined research. Depression touches all of our families and causes grave pain. Today we gather together to race for a cure. We can fight this dreaded disease. Thank you all for being here.”

Audrey Gruss said: “Did you know that depression is the leading reason for disability worldwide and it affects over 300 million people? And yet, new treatments are sorely needed, but there is hope on the horizon. HDRF has for years led the fight against depression and we brought together the most intelligent minds in neuroscience all working toward one mission — to end depression.”

Several HDRF’s Depression Task Force members made appearances during the broadcast including: Dr. Elisabeth Binder (Max Planck Institute, Munich), Dr. Jonathan Javitch (Columbia University, New York City), Dr. René Hen (Columbia University) and  Dr. Michael Meaney (Singapore Institute, Singapore) The Depression Task Force is a collaboration of nine leading scientists, at the frontiers of brain science, from different research institutions across the globe. To accelerate breakthrough research, they share ongoing results, in real-time, at the HDRF Data Center.

The online race broadcast also included a rendition of the national anthem sung by race participants Arianne Lott of Dallas, TX and Helena Winston of Wilmington, NC.  The broadcast also thanked event sponsors Findlay Galleries, Impala Asset Management, Livingston Builders Incorporated, and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

Race of Hope Drive-By Luncheon

In the two-week run-up to the event, HDRF hosted its first-ever Race of Hope Drive-by Lunch on July 16 in Southampton to kick off the Race and thank top donors.  Race Co-Grand Marshals Arthur Dunnam, Jamee Gregory and Audrey Gruss waved to guests as they lined up in their cars on Pond Lane in front of the Southampton Cultural Center, decorated with HDRF’s HOPE yellow balloons (recyclable and environmentally friendly). Each guest received a straw basket tied with yellow ribbon and filled with a lunch of sliced chicken, two side salads, cheese platter, cookies and brownies and fresh cherries and peaches. The baskets were generously provided by Race sponsor Eli Zabar. Giant “Stand with Me” banners of past HDRF celebrity honorees, with quotes about overcoming depression, were lined up to remind guests that depression advocacy is critical for reducing stigma and sparking life-saving conversations.

Race of Hope Virtual – Summer 2020 Committee Members include: Lisa M. Aery, James R. Borynack & Adolfo Zaralegui, Geoffrey Bradfield, Janna Bullock, Amanda & Jay Chambers, Arthur & Roy Dunnam, Majorie & Alexander P. Federbush, Roger & Bambi Felberbaum, Barbara & Alan Glatt, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Jamee & Peter Gregory, Carole Guest, Mrs. John (Susan) Gutfreund, Candy Hamm, Kim Heirston, Yaz Hernandez, Tania Higgins, Natasha Jeffries, Mariana Zoullas Kaufman, The Hon. Earle I Mack & Carol Mack, Ann & Cameron MacRae, Marigay McKee & Bill Ford, Susan & Joe Meyer, Isabella & Joseph Paul (J.Paul) Meyer Jr., Muffy & Donald Miller, Mrs. Lucia N. Musso, Anne S. Nordeman, Jenny & John Paulson, Hilary Geary Ross, Thomas C. Quick, Scott Snyder, Lis Waterman, Lynne Wheat, Clelia & Tom Zacharias, Richard Ziegelasch, and Silvia Zoullas.

Audrey Gruss founded HDRF in April 2006 in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on depression research. Over 300 million people annually struggle with depression globally, but despite its prevalence, depression is still misunderstood, underfunded and under-researched. The mission of the HDRF is to fund cutting-edge neuroscience research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and suicide. To date, HDRF has provided more than $36-million through over 125 grants for accelerated breakthrough depression research that promises to lead to new and better medications and treatments.

The post HDRF Raises $200,000 in First-Ever, National Virtual Race of Hope appeared first on The Beauty Influencers.

The post Hope Fragrances Introduces Hope Night Parfum to benefit HDRF appeared first on The Beauty Influencers.

The 5K run/walk began at the Royal Poinciana Plaza shopping gallery, followed a trail by the North Lake and then returned through scenic streets back to the Plaza. The USA Track and Field-sanctioned race was led by Race Co-Grand Marshals, HDRF Founder Audrey Gruss, and Board member Scott Snyder.

Speaking from the starting gate, HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Gruss said, “Depression is the No. 1 reason in the world for disability and current medications available only help 50 percent of people. We are so moved by the support from Palm Beach community.”

Gruss continued: “One of the most important things about the race is raising awareness, diminishing the stigma and getting people to talk about it more openly, ultimately saving lives. While research for this subject takes a while, here people are doing something active for the cause.”

Hope was in abundant supply as everybody wore caps and gear in HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow. First out of the gate was the wheelchair division cheered on by the crowd.   Then, the competitive runners burst across the starting line at the sound of a horn, followed by first-time runners, walkers, corporate teams, families, children, and plenty of canine friends.   After the race, participants were ready to hit the festival tents offering bagels and coffee, gelato, fruit, and sports massages.

In the closing ceremony, Audrey Gruss and Scott Snyder presented medals for best times in various age categories. Dixon McDonald won the best time in the Adult Male category, and Marie Sippus won the best time in the Adult Female category.  Paul Totman, 66, was the winner for the Wheelchair Division.  Ben Allina, age 15, won for best youth male (13-15), and Meredith Woods, age 14, won for best youth female (13-15). Gruss and Scott Snyder then presented Kimberly Bitterman and Kristina McCooey with an award to Sisters Sledge as the Top Fundraising Team, raising over $25,000; and presented Linda Olsson an award for Top Individual Fundraiser for raising $1,767. The award for Largest Fundraising Team went to Livingston Builders, with 26 runners, and was accepted by Lila Remez, daughter of Livingston Builders owners Teresa and James Remez.

All race participants received a finisher medal, finisher hat, short sleeve tech shirt and lightweight jacket. The first, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of up to $500. Successful fundraisers also received prizes for raising upwards of $250 and $1,000.

This year’s Race of Hope once again was the grand finale of the Week of Hope, a town-wide campaign in Palm Beach to raise mental health awareness.  The Week of Hope started with the lighting of the Royal Park Bridge in sunshine yellow on February 4.   On Wednesday, February 5, more than 50 stores at The Royal Poinciana Plaza such as LoveShackFancy and Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa “turned yellow” by placing two-foot-wide yellow balloons (environmentally safe and re-usable) by their front door in a statement of hope and commitment to raising mental health awareness. Additionally, on Wednesday, February 12, Worth Avenue’s Via Bice hosted a shop and sip where guests enjoyed music and refreshments while all stores in the Via donated a percentage of the day’s sales back to Hope for Depression Research Foundation.

The Race of Hope was supported by Palm Beach residents Lynne Wheat, Deborah & Philippe Dauman, Diana & E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Maria & Kenneth Fishel, Myrna Haft, Mrs. Nataly Langner, Susan Lloyd, Renée & Carlos Morrison, James R. Borynack & Adolfo Zaralegui, Anna de Peyster, Jennifer & David Fischer, Laura & James Freeman, Mrs. Todd Goodwin, Ellen & Ian Graham, Lawrence Herbert, Ann & Charles B. Johnson, Eleanora Kennedy, Iris & William Kontes, Judy & Leonard Lauder, Melanie & Roger Lawson, Ambassador & Mrs. Howard Leach, Chris Leavitt, Mr. Sam Lehrman & Ms. Lisa Kenna, Muffy & Donald Miller, The Honorable Mary Ourisman, Jeff Pfeifle & David Granville, Amy & John Phelan, Pauline Pitt, Thomas C. Quick, Felicia Taylor, Debbie & Jack Thomas, Bruce Bierman & William Secord, Kimberly Gaines Bitterman, Geoffrey N. Bradfield, Scott Diament/CEO Palm Beach Show Group, Lisa Dobbs, Tina Fanjul, Alexander Federbush, Inez Fogel Heery/Betteridge, Susie & Vere Gaynor, Trish Figge Glowacki, Mrs. Roni Goldsmith, Darcy & George Gould, Jamee & Peter Gregory, J. Ira & Nicki Harris, Harriet & Ashley Hoffman, Herb & Eva Jacobi, Darlene & Gerald Jordan, Jayne T. Keith, Sir Christopher & Lady Louise Lewinton, Kristina Grimm McCooey, William A. Meyer, Peggy Moore, Lucia Nielsen Musso, Mario Nievera, Fernanda Niven, David G. Ober, Linda Olsson, Sallie B. Phillips, Ande Phipps, Robin Pickett, Daniel E. Ponton, Marzia Precoda, Adi Rappoport/Gunster Law Firm, Joanna Roland, Frances G. Scaife, Barbara & Randall Smith, Mary & Daniel Stanton, Betsy & Wally Turner, Lis Waterman, and Clelia & Thomas Zacharias.

The Week of Hope and Race of Hope in Palm Beach kick off Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s 2020 activities. HDRF will host its annual Week of Hope in Southampton from July 24 through August 2, 2020, with the Fifth Annual Southampton Race of Hope on Sunday, August 2, 2020.

Audrey Gruss founded HDRF in April 2006 in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on depression research and public education. The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, but despite its prevalence, depression is still misunderstood, underfunded and under-researched. The mission of the HDRF is to fund innovative neuroscience research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and suicide.

To date, HDRF has provided more than $30-million through over 125 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented.

What is HDRF, and a quick overview of their work/achievements in the past decade:

• HDRF is the leading non-profit dedicated solely to advanced depression research.
• Audrey Gruss founded the organization in 2006 in memory of her mother, Hope, who struggled with depression.
• The mission of HDRF is to fund cutting-edge neuroscience research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression and other related mood disorders.
• In 2010, HDRF launched its Depression Task Force – a collaboration of nine leading scientists, at the frontiers of brain science, from different research institutions across the U.S. and Canada. To accelerate breakthrough research, they share ongoing results, in real-time, at the HDRF Data Center.
• HDRF has invested over 36 million dollars in advanced depression research to date.

About Depression:

• In the United States, depression affects over 20-million adults each year – that is one in 10 adults.
• Depression is the leading cause of suicide. In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes – over 47,000 people per year.
• Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide.
• Depression costs society $210-billion annually – 60% of which represents reduced efficiency at work and costs related to suicide.

The Crisis in Research and Treatment: 

• Over 50% of those diagnosed with depression do not respond to existing treatments.
• In 35 years since the introduction of Prozac and other SSRI anti-depressants, there has been almost no change in the treatment of depression, just tinkering with existing approaches.
• Although depression is one of the most serious and prevalent conditions in the US, it is ranked 77th (out of 250) in the amount of federal funding it receives.
• Most of the major pharmaceutical companies have discontinued brain research

What Makes HDRF Different:

• The Depression Task Force represents the most innovative approach to neuroscience research today
• The Task Force has created an unprecedented research plan with each member executing a piece of the plan in their own laboratories.  By avoiding well-worn paths of research, the team is shaking up the field for answers that will finally lead to new treatments for depression.
• They share results in real-time at a centralized data bank. This allows them to leverage data to accelerate research. This is unheard of in the entire scientific research field which is normally competitive and not collaborative.

The post 2nd Annual Palm Beach Race of Hope to Defeat Depression appeared first on The Beauty Influencers.