OCD Walk

1 Millions Steps 4 OCD Walk Footprint Logo

One Million Steps
for OCD Walk

The OCD Walk is a community engagement event where individuals across the country can connect, share stories, create impact, and show those struggling on their road to recovery that they are not alone. It's an opportunity to raise understanding around what it means to have OCD and also to fundraise for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and its Affiliates.

1 Millions Steps 4 OCD Walk Footprint LogoThe OCD Walk is a community engagement event where individuals across the country can connect, share stories, create impact, and show those struggling on their road to recovery that they are not alone. It's an opportunity to raise understanding around what it means to have OCD and also to fundraise for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and its Affiliates.

Proceeds benefiting:

IOCDF Logo All White

Marquee Sponsor:

NOCD logo (white)

Why We Walk

Every dollar raised goes towards supporting those impacted by OCD and related disorders. Funds raised help the IOCDF to:

Resources/Support

Educate

Provide education about what it really means to have OCD or a related disorder to shorten the time to proper diagnosis.

Education

Support

Increase the number of trained therapists so everyone impacted by OCD has access to effective treatment.

Respect/Inspire

Inspire

Engage the entire OCD and related disorders community to advocate and educate in order to reduce stigma!

How to get involved in the OCD Walk:

Find and attend a public Walk near you

More than 40 OCD Walk events will take place in communities across the country (and globe!) this year — register to join one today!

Host a public OCD Walk yourself

Learn how you can bring the OCD Walk to your local community by signing up to organize a public event — from venue selection to cutting the break tape!

Become a sponsor or corporate donor

The growth of the OCD Walk is thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and corporate donors. Learn how your financial contribution can help expand the Walk.

Breaking the Stigma

Share your photos from the OCD Walk on social and make sure to tag @iocdf and use hashtag #ocdwalk!

Walker Testimonials

I walk so that one day, OCD will be as recognizable as a common cold, so that people don't need to go years wondering why they have such terrifying thoughts and feel compelled to compulsion. I walk so that treatment providers will be well-educated about proper OCD treatment, and people can get help as soon as they need it. 

Maya Tadross
IOCDF Advocate and OCD Walk Participant

For someone like me, who was struggling with OCD to a debilitating degree and lived in isolation, the idea of publicly denouncing the shame that OCD instills was a liberating thought. I knew I had to be part of this movement in any way that I could! The grassroots Community Walk allowed me and those unable to attend in Boston to participate on the official walk day wherever they were located!

Hannah Zidansek
IOCDF Advocate and OCD Walk Participant

It's so nice to be with people who understand the challenges of having OCD or loving someone with OCD. The sense of community at the Walk is just tremendous.

David Calusdian
IOCDF Board Member

These days mental health challenges are getting more attention, but people with OCD and their families often feel very isolated. The One Million Steps for OCD Walk is an important reminder that we are not alone and that help is available. When my daughter and I participated in the Walk, there was a feeling of joy in the air. How wonderful to be seen and accepted.

Hillary Twining OCD Walk Testimonial

Hillary Twining
OCD Walk Participant

Find a Walk near you!

OCD Walks are scheduled to take place across the country throughout the year with more events being added each week.

Find an event near you and make sure to sign up for email alerts to be the first to know if an event is added in your area.

2026 OCD Walk Sponsors

A special thank you to our Marquee Sponsor:

NOCD 2026 Marquee Sponsor description image

NOCD is the world's leading provider of OCD treatment. Our mission is to help people reclaim their lives from OCD by increasing access to specialized virtual therapy, covered by insurance for over 138 million Americans. Our highly-trained therapists specialize in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the most effective treatment for OCD. Through our virtual clinic model, Members can receive personalized care, track their progress, and find support every step of the way. NOCD was founded in 2017 by Stephen Smith who also serves as the CEO. His personal struggles with OCD and the difficulties he faced in finding effective treatment inspired him to create NOCD.

Learn more at: treatmyocd.com

Become an OCD Walk sponsor!

Sponsoring the OCD Walk gives your organization visibility at 40+ events nationwide, including the flagship Boston OCD Walk on May 9, 2026. Beyond the in-person events, OCD Walk sponsors are promoted in a variety of print and digital media, including*:

  • Marketing emails to 26k+ subscribers
  • Registration and fundraising pages
  • OCD Walk T-shirts (an attendee favorite!)
  • Flyers (digital and print)
  • Social media post
  • Promotional giveaway items
  • Emcee recognition
  • Press releases

...and more! View the 2026 OCD Walk Marketing Prospectus (PDF) for more info.

*Eligibility based on sponsorship level. Higher-visibility sponsorships are limited in quantity and opportunities are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

TEST+Boston+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkMon, April 1, 2019
3
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$75,000(0%)
1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+Community+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
270
Donors
11,528
Raised
77%
Goal:$15,000(77%)
TEST+Boston+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
0
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$75,000(0%)
%2A%2A%2ADRAFT+Boston+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+Walk+DRAFT%2A%2A%2ASat, June 1, 2019
1
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$75,000(0%)
2nd+TEST+Boston+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
6
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$75,000(0%)
San+Francisco+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
0
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$75,000(0%)
Chicago+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
0
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$75,000(0%)
Boston+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
1,458
Donors
84,829
Raised
113%
Goal:$75,000(113%)
Philadelphia+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
184
Donors
5,684
Raised
114%
Goal:$5,000(114%)
Richmond+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
120
Donors
4,929
Raised
123%
Goal:$4,000(123%)
Asheville+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
37
Donors
885
Raised
89%
Goal:$1,000(89%)
Durham+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
45
Donors
1,822
Raised
91%
Goal:$2,000(91%)
Houston+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
100
Donors
3,645
Raised
73%
Goal:$5,000(73%)
Austin+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
96
Donors
3,238
Raised
108%
Goal:$3,000(108%)
Los+Angeles+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
116
Donors
6,816
Raised
136%
Goal:$5,000(136%)
Sacramento+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
129
Donors
4,590
Raised
38%
Goal:$12,000(38%)
Orange+County+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
68
Donors
2,366
Raised
95%
Goal:$2,500(95%)
San+Diego+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
51
Donors
1,404
Raised
56%
Goal:$2,500(56%)
Seattle+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
55
Donors
2,184
Raised
44%
Goal:$5,000(44%)
Portland+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 1, 2019
139
Donors
4,900
Raised
65%
Goal:$7,500(65%)
Pittsburgh+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSun, June 2, 2019
113
Donors
4,232
Raised
106%
Goal:$4,000(106%)
Wilmington+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSun, June 2, 2019
37
Donors
1,725
Raised
86%
Goal:$2,000(86%)
Greensboro+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 8, 2019
45
Donors
2,248
Raised
90%
Goal:$2,500(90%)
Hanover+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 8, 2019
1
Donors
0
Raised
0%
Goal:$1,000(0%)
Minneapolis+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 8, 2019
106
Donors
3,200
Raised
107%
Goal:$3,000(107%)
Overland+Park+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 8, 2019
75
Donors
3,188
Raised
64%
Goal:$5,000(64%)
Salt+Lake+City+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 8, 2019
218
Donors
15,649
Raised
104%
Goal:$15,000(104%)
Oakland+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSat, June 8, 2019
119
Donors
4,433
Raised
89%
Goal:$5,000(89%)
Long+Island+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSun, June 9, 2019
170
Donors
11,250
Raised
113%
Goal:$10,000(113%)
Erie+1+Million+Steps+4+OCD+WalkSun, June 9, 2019
79
Donors
2,921
Raised
58%
Goal:$5,000(58%)

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Our Inspiration

In 2012, Denis Asselin walked over 500 miles — or roughly one million steps — from his home in Cheyney, PA, to Boston, MA, in memory of his son Nathaniel. Nathaniel took his own life at just 24, after a long struggle with severe body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and OCD. After Nathaniel’s death, Denis decided to embark on a pilgrimage to honor Nathaniel and to raise awareness about the disorder that stole his young son’s life. On June 5, 2012, Denis completed his walk in Boston, and was greeted by staff of the International OCD Foundation, as well as friends, family, and members of the OCD community at a rally honoring Denis and supporting OCD and BDD awareness. To carry on this tradition, the One Million Steps for OCD Walk was created the following year in the same spirit of raising awareness, funds, and hope. It is in this spirit of hope that we invite you to join us.

Denis & Nathaniel