OUR MISSION
WillPower is a charitable 501 (c) 3 organization focused on educating, supporting, and healing emerging adults and families affected by the misunderstood and stigmatized pain of mental illness. We aim to help save lives and bring hope to those who are struggling, often silently. Our organization will provide educational courses, support networks, experiential workshops and activities that promote the Power of Authentic Conversation, the Movement of Pain into Positive Energy and the Will to Live and Thrive.
JOIN US AT THE 2ND ANNUAL WILLPOWER 1 MILE WALK AND TALK/ 5K RUN
Saturday, September 21
Join us for the 2nd Annual WillPower 1M Walk + Talk | 5K Run on Saturday, September 21, 2024, during National Suicide Prevention Month.
This event supports the WillPower Foundation’s mission to educate, support, and heal emerging adults and families affected by mental struggles. The funds raised will help expand our programs, including educational courses, support networks, experiential workshops, and more. We are dedicated to ending the stigma of mental illness and to promoting the Power of Conversations, the Movement of Pain into Positive Energy and the Will to Live and Thrive.
Come walk with us to honor Will’s legacy. Together, we can show that silence is no longer an option; that our willpower to overcome is relentless, and that no one should walk this journey alone. Every step you take and every dollar raised will help youth realize they are supported and to encourage them to speak up and ask for help. Your participation will be a beacon of light for those still navigating the shadows of despair.
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Event Details
Date Saturday, September 21, 2024
Location Wissahickon Valley Trail, Forbidden Drive, 200 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia 19118
7:30 AM: Registration Opens
8:20 AM: Welcome Message
8:30 AM: 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk + Talk Begins
Post-Race: Conversations, drinks, and snacks available
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What's Included
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Commemorative WillPower
T-shirt -
Educational information about mental health and support resources
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Drinks and light snacks during and after the race
TYOPL
"Take Your Own Precious Life"
The term "suicide" often carries a heavy stigma and may not fully convey the emotional depth of the situation. By using the phrase "Taking Your Own Precious Life," we highlight the inherent value of the individual and the profound loss that results. This language can help foster more compassionate and empathetic conversations, reducing stigma and promoting understanding. It might also encourage those contemplating self-harm to reconsider and recognize their worth. However, it's crucial that we don't shy away from the term "suicide." It's up to all of us to break the stigma, educate ourselves, and work toward eliminating suicide as an option for ending pain and suffering.
2ND
"Taking your own precious life" (TYOPL) is the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34
22%
of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year.
1.6M
In 2022, there were an estimated
1.6M suicide
attempts
50K
Americans died by suicide in 2022
THE POWER OF WILL
William was our firstborn, arriving May 29, 1999, at 9 lbs. 3 ounces and 21 1/4 inches. From the moment he came into our lives, he was loved by everyone. He was silly and sweet, always bringing joy and laughter into our home. William had an infectious sense of humor, with one-liners and practical jokes that had us all in stitches.
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In school, William thrived with his close-knit group of friends and was loved by his teachers. His senior year, he excelled as a co-captain of the crew team, showing dedication and leadership that made us proud. His teachers admired his kindness and enthusiasm, and he left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
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In college, William immediately made wonderful friends and enjoyed life as an SAE brother in his fraternity house. He loved the independence and adventure of traveling to and from Charleston. Even when things were tough, he always found a way to bring joy to those around him. He loved cooking, and we cherished planning meals together, with him often teaching us new culinary tricks. Our family trips, like the one to Mexico in February 2022, were filled with fun and precious moments.
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Having William home with us those last six months was a blessing. We loved every moment spent together, reminding him constantly how much he was loved and needed. Despite the challenges he faced, his spirit, humor, and love left an indelible mark on all of us. William was a beautiful soul, and his memory will always be cherished, reminding us of the joy and love he brought into our lives.
His Friends Describe Will Best...
Will had a heart of gold and lit up the room with his presence. He would make everyone feel included and spoke to everyone, making friends with the most interesting people.
Jerel
Anyone that knew Will should call themselves nothing short of fortunate, as he was surely one of a kind.
Will R.
Will was one of the most special/kind/genuine hearts that this world has ever blessed me with and I think about his grace a lot.
Christopher
Anyone who was lucky enough to encounter him, always loved him.
Jake S
Will made such an impact on our lives and we will always live out his memory.
Sam P
If there is anything I can 100% promise you it’s that he never failed to put a smile on everyone’s face, never failed to make us laugh, and never failed to keep us on our toes with his fun facts about himself. I truly have never met another person like him and will always be grateful for all the memories, laughs, and love he gave me over the years. His life, his laugh, and his legacy will never be forgotten.
Kat
Will was one of the most outgoing, kind, and loving people I have ever met. I will always remember his laugh, his smile, and above all else the love for everyone that he had to those around him. He was a great friend to me and I will always cherish the moments I had with him.
Simms
Will's voice, his laughter, his piercing blue eyes, and his witty comments filled the room never leaving a dull moment behind. He made me feel heard and seen, and most of all, incredibly important. That’s just who he was. Curious, thoughtful, patient, caring and funny. And most importantly, your boy was so beautiful inside and out.
Grace E
OUR STORY
The two things we know for sure are that William knew we loved him, and he did not want to die.
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As the world emerged from the pandemic in 2021, we noticed something wasn't quite right with William. We didn't know exactly what it was, but we made a point to travel to Charleston to see him almost every month that year. Despite our constant texts and emails, we rarely heard back from him. When we saw him in person, he continuously reassured us that everything was fine—he was busy.
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It was only later that he finally opened up, revealing that he was feeling down, confused about his college major, and uncertain about his future. Our hearts ached, and we knew we had to bring him home and get him the help he needed.
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Thankfully, William did come home that Christmas. He was amenable to seeing a clinician for medication and a therapist. Unfortunately, neither was a good fit. The clinician failed to oversee his medication correctly, and the therapist couldn't connect with William.
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Despite these struggles, William seemed okay outwardly. He engaged with us, helping make dinner and cracking his usual jokes—he was being William. He started a job selling POS systems to businesses, applied to colleges for the fall of 2022, and planned summer trips with his brother and sister. When we took a family trip to Mexico in February 2022 he was all in: jumping off cliffs, snorkeling in cenotes, and enjoying time with all of us on the beach. Surely, we thought, not the vision of someone still struggling. We had him with us, and he was surrounded by so much love. We had so many good things to look forward to together.
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āYou can imagine our complete and utter shock.
We never saw it coming.
Looking back, it’s clear that the weekend was profoundly challenging for him. His friends had just graduated from college, and it was alumni weekend in Charleston, coinciding with his first official high school reunion. The contrast between the celebratory atmosphere he imagined his friends were reveling in, and his own personal struggles likely deepened his sense of isolation and hopelessness, amplifying his vulnerability during that difficult time.
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We wish he could have told us of the immense pain he was in and shared that he was scared and needed help. We wish he could have opened up to us, let us help him, and told us he was in immense pain, that he was scared and needed help. We would have held him so tight and never let him go. If we could have taken even an ounce of his pain away, we would have taken it all.
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āWe loved William with all our hearts and knew he knew that. The pain and despair he felt must have been overwhelming. We can only imagine that taking his own life must have felt like the only way to end the pain, a devastatingly permanent solution to a temporary problem. If he had realized that emotions, like waves, really only last for a few minutes; if he could have held on to the H*O*P*E-the idea of HOLD*ON*PAIN*ENDS; if he had #988 ready and knew to dial for support; if he could have known there was a way through the darkness and back into the light of life and living.
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It was a devastation, and it shattered everyone. Taking his own precious life was never the answer. William was such an incredibly beautiful soul, and in his honor, we hope to help eradicate TYOPL (suicide) as an option by spreading the power of knowledge, conversation, and unwavering support.
ABOUT HIDDEN DEPRESSION
THE INVISIBLE ILLNESS
Depression, often termed the invisible illness, can be a silent and devastating presence in a person's life. Its symptoms can be masked by a façade of normalcy, making it difficult for loved ones to recognize the severity of the situation. Without proper treatment and open dialogue, depression can deepen, leaving individuals feeling isolated and hopeless.
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When depression is not adequately addressed, the risk of suicide becomes alarmingly high. The stigma surrounding mental health often prevents individuals from seeking help, compounding their distress. It is crucial to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed and treated with the same urgency as physical ailments, to prevent such tragic outcomes.
WOLFPACT APP
Empowering Well-Being Through Connection
What is WOLFPACT?
This tool is in the development stage and is designed to help small groups prioritize mental well-being together.
How does it work?
Whether you're a family member, colleague, teammate, or friend, our tool will guide you through a proven metric system for daily self-awareness, which you will share with your chosen Wolfpact members.
Connect and Collaborate
By selecting your Wolfpack and signing a pact, you will collaboratively identify personal values, create a mission, build trust, establish a safe space, practice honesty, check in on each other's mental well-being, and take compassionate action. Our app facilitates proactive and positive support for your team's mental health, ensuring a connected and resilient group dynamic where everyone is able to thrive.
Never Feel Alone
Nobody can go it alone! By committing to sharing your daily mental metrics with a small trusted group you are not only helping yourself feel connected and safe, you are also empowering yourself by helping your fellow pack members.
#988
SUICIDE + CRISIS HOTLINE