Hamptons Walk For Hope Event Raising Awareness For Depression Research

On Saturday, July 30th, the Hope For Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) will be giving Hamptonites looking to exercise for a good cause an opportunity to do just that at their Walk for Hope event, which will be led by Founder and Chair, Audrey Gruss.

“The Walk of Hope is important to me because as Founder of the Hope of Depression Research Foundation it is my aim to give maximum visibility to the issue of depression as the number one reason in the world for disability,” said Gruss. She established HDRF in memory of her mother, Hope, who struggled with clinical depression and passed away in 2006.

The walk will start at 9 a.m. at the Southampton Cultural Center and take participants on a three-mile course around Lake Agawam in Southampton Village.

“The Walk of Hope should allow those who want to help an opportunity to actually participate in both raising awareness and funds for depression research,” Gruss added. “Each person who walks can help make a difference in this worldwide global health issue.”

The mission of the HDRF is to “accelerate advanced brain research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression, as well as raise awareness of depression as a medical illness, educate the public and erase the stigma of depression.” The cause of depression is still mostly unknown, and roughly 50 percent of people who suffer from depression do not respond to any currently available medication. Through their fundraising, HDRF hopes to raise money and awareness for depression research.

Since its founding a decade ago, HDRF has become the leading nonprofit organization that’s sole focus is depression research. To date, HDRF has provided more than $20 million through over 125 grants for accelerated breakthrough depression research that promises to lead to new and better medications and treatments.

Walk registration begins at 8 p.m. and the entry fee is $50.

Southampton Cultural Center is located at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton. For more information, visit www.hopefordepression.org.