Last Friday, I participated in a press conference conducted by NAMI Multnomah with Wayne Cho, a Canadian citizen who is running around the world to raise awareness of mental illnesses, in the Love World Run.  He started in Toronto and is now heading down the West Coast to Los Angeles.  I commended him for fundraising, and he laughed and said, "Actually I'm not very good at that part, I just run."  I relate.  Please visit his site to learn more about what he is doing and why.  Check out his blog for many beautiful photographs.  And if you can, send a few bucks.  I have found that even a $5 donation can be real encouragement.

The jacket I'm showing in the photographs was my father's, who completed over 100 marathons and ultramarathons, including winning the Boston Marathon for his age group in 1989.  My Dad, Max Jones, ran 118 miles in 24 hours at age 70, winning multiple world age group records.  His fastest marathon time was 2:57:06 at age 59. My father ran in several World Championships for Great Britain Veterans, in many Portland marathons, and in Nike Portland's Hood-to-Coast team.  He would have appreciated Wayne Cho's efforts.

Photographs by Jeri Shumate of NAMI, featuring NAMI Multnomah Executive Director Margaret Brayden as well as Wayne and me.