6th Annual Don’t Lose Hope 5k
About this Event
Please join us at our 6th Annual ‘Don’t Lose Hope: 5k Run/Walk for Suicide Awareness’!
In 2025, early national data show that the United States continues to lose nearly 50,000 people to suicide each year. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a community forever changed- a reminder of how deeply important connection, support, and accessible mental health care truly are.
Every year, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental health condition. Most of us have either lost someone to suicide or know someone who has been touched by it. Now more than ever, we need honest conversations, genuine check‑ins, and a commitment to kindness. Suicide is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign that someone is carrying more pain than they can manage alone. Let’s be the reason someone feels seen, heard, and supported. Join us in breaking the stigma around mental health by showing your support on Sunday, September 27th.
Run with a p u r p o s e.
Run for a loved one who you’ve lost to suicide, run for a friend you know is struggling, or run for your own personal mental health battle.
Whatever your reason, you’re making a d i f f e r e n c e.
Whether you run, jog, or walk; your presence is what is appreciated most!
Registration will begin at 7:30 am and the official race start time will be 8:30 am. Upon your arrival on race day, please be sure to check in as well as get your honor beads (see below for honor beads description).
**PS. If you didn’t get to register in time, we will be accepting same-day registrations!**
Register HERE
Sponsorships Available HERE
Meeting Location:
Buttonwood Park, New Bedford MA
Corner of Lake Street & Buttonwood Street (behind Lawler Library)
Race Numbers and Meal Ticket Pick-Up/Pre-Registration:
Friday, September 25th
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Child & Family Services
3057 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford MA
*If you pre-register on this day, you do not need to register again on event day.
Event Highlights:
- Common Ground Catering serving up a delicious post-race breakfast.
- Music throughout the event by DJ Darien Fortes.
- A 360 photo booth to capture fun, shareable moments.
- Honor beads as a symbol of support and remembrance.
- A pop-up from Kendra Scott, featuring a custom piece designed just for our event, plus a handpicked selection of their signature jewelry and accessories. Even better—20% of proceeds come back to support CFS!
T-shirt Ticket Deadline:
Please note the deadline to receive a T-shirt is Friday, SEPTEMBER 1ST. If you register after this date, you will not receive a t-shirt. Please register before this date to ensure you get one!
What are Honor Beads?
They are beneficial in both honoring a loved one as well as silently identifying a loss that you have had. Each color shows our personal connection to the cause and helps us identify others who understand our experience.
supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&;id=1510
Awards:
The top 3 runners with best times in each age/gender divisions will be recognized and awarded.
- Male Age Groups: 25 & under / 26-44 / 45 & up
- Female Age Groups: 25 & under / 26-44 / 45 & up
- Top 3 Overall M/ or F
- Top 3 Teams
About Child & Family Mobile Crisis Intervention Services:
Our Adult + Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention (A/YMCI) provides behavioral health crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization services (24/7/365) to individuals of all ages with mental health, substance use disorder, and/or co-occurring conditions. Services can be provided at our office location or in the community such as home, school, shelters, or other preferred locations.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please call our 24/7 help line: 508-996-3154
**In the event that the race needs to be cancelled, there will be no refunds. Thank you for understanding.**