Liv Dennis
On the chilled morning of Feb. 3, a fog settled on the USF campus as lines of people decked out in purple began to register for the event, lining up at the starting line as the announcer counted down, “3, 2, 1…go!”
Sporting the purple attire were those in support of Miles for Migraine. Miles for Migraine, Tampa’s annual event, is a two-mile walk, 5K run, and relaxing fundraising event to raise awareness and funds for those affected by migraine and headache disease. This year’s event hosted around 350 to 400 people and marked the fifth year this event has been hosted.
Migraine is the second leading cause of disability in the United States and globally, with 42 million people in the US affected by it. It costs the US between 13 and 17 billion dollars annually.
Due to the high number of those suffering and the costs, the Miles for Migraine team believes in advocating for those suffering and doing their part to raise money for further research. Among the staff is Marketing and Events Coordinator, Derek MacDonald, who explains that their event’s goal has many parts.
“First, we want to raise awareness of migraine and headache disease. It’s often stigmatized because people don’t understand what it is…We are also secondly here to raise money,” MacDonald said. “The money raised goes back to the USF Health Headache Center. Specifically to help train future headache fellows.”
With migraines being a highly stigmatized disease, the volunteers, staff members, and participants strive during this event to educate those who may not be aware of the disease’s effects.
Director of Operations and migraine sufferer Katie MacDonald explained that with the shortage of providers in headache medicine and the surplus of sufferers, it is important to raise money to support the headache specialists actively researching and helping those battling migraines.
“With Miles for Migraine, we put these events on in 24 cities nationwide. The way that we select the cities we go to is we go to places with headache fellowship programs,” Katie MacDonald said. “Any funds we raise at the event go directly to that program to support those providers, their education, and the research they’re working on.”
Among the many participants this year was migraine sufferer Mirna Desjardins, who has been battling migraine since she was young.
“My journey started when I was probably four or five years old. It’s been a hassle all my life. A specialist has seen me, and I’ve been going through different treatments. Treatments haven’t been helping me much, but I’ve been dealing with it,” Desjardins said. “It’s tough, it’s constant pain, it’s constant suffering, and you have to learn how to deal with it daily.”
With Desjardin’s battle with migraine, she supports events like Miles for Migraine because she believes that advocating for other people struggling is crucial.
“It’s important because we need support. People who suffer from migraines need support, and more events like what is going on today are a good cause,” Desjardins said. “My friends are here, and it’s very helpful that the community supports this event.”
Accompanying Desjardins at this year’s event was Gail Bonnstetter, who feels that even if you are not struggling with this disease yourself, other people within the community still need your support.
“I just wanted to celebrate people who suffer from migraines. I just can’t imagine what she goes through, and she even comes to Zumba when she’s suffering just because she doesn’t want it to run her life,” Bonnstetter said. “I want her to know I love her and care about her.”
For this year’s event, Miles for Migraine has raised $4,587.30 in fundraising to support further research, education, and advocacy efforts to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life while eliminating headache specialist shortage for all.
To join Miles for Migraine next year, please visit their site at https://www.milesformigraine.org/our-mission-and-vision/ to support those close to you and others who may be suffering from migraine and headache disease.