Bradenton, Fla. — Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, announces its 20th annual Life;Story 5K/10K Run and Walk, to be held on Saturday, September 24th 2022 at 7 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
This year’s Life;Story is honoring veterans and military personnel hoping to bring heightened awareness to suicide prevention among those who have served this country and their families. Special guests will include Retired Marine Corps Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, who served in the U.S. Marine Corp with honor for 37 years of active and reserve duty.
According to the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, approximately 6,000 U.S. veterans take their lives each year, representing a loss of life on average of 17 veterans each day.
“Suicide is a major concern; it is among the leading causes of death in this country. Centerstone has a long-standing commitment to supporting veterans, military service members, and their families; we recognize they experience unique challenges associated with their service,” said Melissa Larkin-Skinner, CEO, Centerstone – Florida.
“Early intervention is key; this means we need to be more vigilant to the concerns of our veterans, watch for signs of risk, and connect them with the support they need,” she noted. “Through Life;Story, we bring a message of hope and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships to bring this message to more veterans and military families.”
Centerstone’s Life;Story 5K/10K will be chip timed by Fit2Time for in-person participants. The event will also have a virtual option so that individuals can run or walk anytime, anywhere from September 17 through the early morning of September 24, 2022. Participants often set up teams in memory of loved ones lost to suicide.
The in-person race follows a path over a bridge and through a scenic winding route on the western side of the lake and then finishes with an inspirational Life;Story program. In addition to food, music, and activities for the entire family, the event provides education and serves to advocate for mental health treatment among children, adults and families throughout the country.
Sunset Honda–Academy at Glengary and Patrica E. Lucas have again committed their support to Life;Story as 2022 Tribute Sponsors.
For more information or to register for Life;Story, visit CenterstoneLifeStory.org. Sponsorship and volunteer details are available by calling 941-782-4341.
Centerstone is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Services are available nationally through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, the use of telehealth and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also features specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, children’s services and employee assistance programs. Centerstone’s Research Institute provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best practices for use in all our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives.
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