NAMI Mercer Walkathon to be Held Saturday

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Mercer.

Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and renowned neuroscientist Dr. Husseini K. Manji will serve as honorary chairs of NAMI Mercer’s fifth annual walkathon – the NAMI Mercer WALK 2012.

The WALK will be held at (ETS), located at 660 Rosedale Rd. in Lawrence Township on Saturday, May 5. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. The WALK will commence rain or shine at 10:00 a.m.

Hughes took office in November 2003, becoming the first Democrat to hold the post in 24 years. He was re-elected to a third term in November 2011. During his tenure, Hughes has championed several initiatives to improve health and safety.

Dr. Manji is Global Therapeutic Head for Neuroscience at Janssen Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC. Previously, he was chief, Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology and Experimental Therapeutics at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and director of the NIH Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program.

Participants at the NAMI Mercer WALK will enjoy an on-site health and wellness expo, music, entertainment, food, and the company of more than 1,000 like-minded participants who share the mission of reducing the stigma so often associated with mental illness.

The NAMI Mercer WALK is a unique opportunity to join together in strength, friendship and purpose to support an organization dedicated to individuals and families on their journey to wellness and recovery. The event raises the much needed funding to sustain the education, outreach and advocacy services that benefit those in greater Mercer County who face the challenges of mental illness every day.

For more information about the NAMI Mercer WALK 2012, please contact NAMI Mercer WALK 2012 Manager Jenn Antinoro by phone (609) 799-8994 extension 17 or via email at jantinoro@namimercer.org. Information about the WALK, registration, team formation, volunteering, and sponsorship are available at http://www.namimercer.org.