NAMIWalks MICHIGAN National Alliance on Mental Illness Saturday, September 24, 2011 Oakland Community College, Oakridge Campus, Farmington, MI 48334 WALKER CHECK-IN: 10am WALK BEGINS: 12pm Dear Family and Friends, On September 24, 2011 we will honor the memory of our late great son, brother and friend Dominique by participating in the 8thannual NAMIWalks for the Mind of America 5K. NAMI’s signature walkathon event will be held on the Orchard Ridge Campus of Oakland Community College (OCC). The purpose of this letter is to ask you to walk with and support us financially as we raise awareness and funds for this worthy and necessary cause. At age 21Dominique was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Thousands of young men between the ages of 18-22 are affected by this disease annually, though it often goes undiagnosed and/or ignored. Although we worked to help him understand through therapy and medication he could live a very normal and productive life, Dominique tried, but was unable to accept his diagnoses. On Sunday June 27, 2010 Dominique committed suicide. I tell you this with no sense of shame or embarrassment, but rather with a sense of purpose. Please visit my personal walker page to sign up @: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks11/MIC/Dominique. It features a link to my team's page where you can see who is walking with me. There is also a link so you can donate directly to me online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I will receive immediate e-mail notification of your donation. All donations by check and money orders should be made payable directly to NAMI Michigan and will be accepted along with cash donations by team I BELIEVE members. NAMI is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those whose lives are touched by these illnesses.  This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, the law enforcement community and policy makers.  The NAMI organization is composed of approximately 1100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office. The goals of the NAMIWalks program are: to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved, and to raise funds for NAMI so that they can continue their mission. NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity (tax #38-2643038) and any donations made to support my participation in this event is tax deductible.  NAMI has been rated by Worth magazine as among the top 100 charities "most likely to save the world" and has been given an "A" rating by The American Institute of Philanthropy for efficient and effective use of charitable dollars. There is nothing more I can do for Dominique. I will never know why he is gone. I do know that NO parent, sibling or friend should know the pain and loss we now feel each day, Through NAMI we can help prevent it for others. Last year we had a great time. Team I BELIEVE raised $1,100. This year our goal is to have even more fun and raise $2,000. PLEASE come walk with me; talk with me about my son and help us help others! Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, Kevin Fischer