When we held our first 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in Boston in 2013, we were awed to see how quickly and enthusiastically the community came together to make that first event a success. After that initial walk, the IOCDF decided to set an ambitious goal to add a new walk in a new city each year. In 2014 we introduced a new walk on the West Coast in Sacramento, CA, and this year we are proud to announce that we have another new walk in the Southeast in Atlanta, GA!
Just imagine what it will look like to see thousands of people walking together around the world to raise awareness for OCD and related disorders and to shatter stereotypes and misunderstanding. But, of course, we realize that we cannot achieve this goal on our own. We will need to rely heavily on the commitment of our walkers, donors, and members of the OCD community to make this dream a reality — will you walk help us achieve this goal?
On June 6, 2015, the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk will take place in Boston, Sacramento, and Atlanta, as well as at grassroots walks in communities across the globe and we hope you will be walking next to us.
By joining the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk, you are helping to raise awareness and funding for the OCD programs at the International OCD Foundation, OCD Sacramento, and OCD Georgia. By walking together as a community, we will make a powerful statement about our shared commitment to help people living with OCD. We will help raise the dollars that make it possible for the IOCDF to develop, fund, and facilitate much-needed programs — programs that improve the lives of individuals and families and provide hope for many. And by talking about the walk on social media, and with our friends, families, and colleagues, we will also be helping to educate, spread awareness, reduce stigma and bring important attention to mental heath disorders such as OCD.
Remember — you don’t have to walk alone!
There is a popular adage that applies perfectly to the walk: “The more the merrier.” By creating or joining a walk team, you are able to band together with friends and family to rally support for this great cause.
Each year we see so many enthusiastic teams at the walks. For example, in Boston last year, a group of dedicated co-workers from Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island designed their own unique Walk T-shirts and walked together around Jamaica Pond as a group of 47 individuals committed to OCD Awareness! Likewise, the Cormier family from Massachusetts created a Walk Team that was 20 people strong: They made their own T-shirts and carried signs as they walked around Jamaica Pond, making the day into a family outing enjoyed by everyone. In 2014 alone, there were 33 Walk Teams in Boston, 16 teams in Sacramento, and 13 teams of walkers who hosted Walks in their own community. Walk teams can fundraise together, set their own team goals, and walk together at the event. We will even have special prizes for the largest walk team at each walk!
The more visible we become the more we will create change. Help us be part of changing how others view OCD and related disorders. Join us on June 6, 2015 and be part of #1Million4OCD!
Are you collecting the commemorative Walk T-shirts?
One of the most common questions I receive during Walk season is, “How can I get a Walk T-shirt?” All walk registrants who make a minimum donation of $25 receive a T-shirt.
Ready to walk? Here’s how to register:
1. Go to iocdf.org/walk and select which walk you want to register for
2. Create your fundraising page and raise a minimum of $25 in order to qualify for your Walk T-shirt.
3. Create or join a walk team and start fundraising and recruiting more people to join the walk!
Walk in Boston
The 3rd Annual 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in Boston takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2015. For the third year in a row, members of the OCD community, including individuals with OCD, family, friends, co-workers and treatment providers will gather at Jamaica Pond for our flagship Walk. Last year, more than 300 people joined their family members, friends, coworkers, and children. Some even brought their dogs! (Strollers allowed. Well-behaved dogs on a leash, are welcome.)
To join the Boston walk, visit: iocdf.org/walkBoston
Walk in Sacramento
The 2nd Annual 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in Northern California on Saturday, June 6, 2015. All proceeds from the Walk will support programs of both OCD Sacramento and the IOCDF. The walk will take place at Southside Park, a popular park in downtown Sacramento located just blocks from the State Capital. (Strollers allowed. Well-behaved dogs on a leash, are welcome.)
To join the Sacramento walk, visit: : iocdf.org/walkNorCal
Walk in Atlanta
We are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Walk. The 1st Annual 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in Atlanta on Saturday, June 6, 2015, co-sponsored by the IOCDF and OCD Georgia. The Walk will take place at beautiful Chastain Park, the largest city park in Atlanta. Walkers will enjoy beautiful scenery as they walk along the park’s 5k walking path. (Strollers allowed. Well-behaved dogs on a leash, are welcome.)
To join the Atlanta walk, visit: iocdf.org/walkAtlanta
Walk in Your Community
Even if you can’t attend the Boston, Sacramento, or Atlanta walks, you can join the walk “virtually” by setting up a fundraising page and pledging to walk for OCD between now and June 6th. This can be something you do on your own such as your daily morning walk or run, or you can gather a team of friends and family to walk with you at a local park or school on June 6th to coincide with the walks in Boston, Sacramento, and Atlanta.
New this year! Our Virtual Walk Kit has everything you need to get your Walk started. The kit includes a Walk T-shirt for you, stickers for all of your local walkers, a pedometer to help you plan your route, and fliers and a handout template (PDF) to help promote your walk around town!
Joining the Virtual Walk is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Go to iocdf.org/virtualwalk and click “Join” to get started. You can choose to “Register” for $25 to receive your own Virtual Walk Kit. Or you can skip this step and click “Start” to create your own walk page for FREE and start raising funds for the IOCDF.
2. Join or create a fundraising team to walk and raise awareness with, while also raising funds to support the IOCDF.
3. Join us in your community anywhere in the world on June 6, 2015, and walk with us in spirit as we take 1 Million Steps 4 OCD.
And don’t forget to tell us about your walk! Tweet or Instagram pictures of your walk using the hashtag #1Million4OCD and mention @IOCDF.
Can you just donate 25 and get s shirt even if you don’t attend a run or sponsor a run in your area?
If you donate $25 to the Virtual Walk campaign before May 6, 2015, you will earn a t-shirt as part of the Virtual Walk Kit: https://www.crowdrise.com/1Million4OCD2015-Virtual
It is then up to you if you want to walk in your area, though we encourage you do so.