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‘Climb’ for maternal wellbeing

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Lancaster will host a unique event tomorrow. The Climb out of Darkness fundraiser at 10:30 a.m. at Prime Desert Woodland Preserve, 43201 35th St. West, is part of the world’s largest event to raise awareness about maternal mental health issues such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), postpartum PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), postpartum psychosis, pregnancy depression, and other anxiety disorders.

Survivors of these disorders, called “Warrior Moms,” will climb, hike or walk together at a local mountain or nearby park to symbolize their collective triumph over these and other mental health maladies and will raise funds for the organization Postpartum Progress.

“Since founding Postpartum Progress in 2004, I continue to be in awe of how many lives we’ve touched and how many advancements we have made in awareness about these health issues,” said Katherine Stone, founder of Postpartum Progress. “Each and every one of our ‘Warrior Moms’ is an inspiration. It’s these powerful women who are making a difference.”

Tomorrow’s event will mark the fourth anniversary of Climb out of Darkness. Last year, more than 2,500 participants joined together in 45 states and in five countries, representing a significant increase from the 200 participants in the inaugural 2013 “climb.”

This year, organizers want to raise more than $300,000 to support Postpartum Progress; so far this year $246,632 has been raised. Team Antelope Valley has raised $805 with 21 adults and 20 children registered for tomorrow’s event. The money will benefit new educational materials that will be used by obstetricians, pediatricians and other medical practitioners, as well as new materials to help educate the media about the public impact of postpartum depression and related illnesses on mothers and children. Team Antelope Valley has a Facebook page that keeps local “climbers” updated (www.facebook.com/cotdantelopevalley).

For more details, contact local climb leader Lucy McEwen at mcewenlm@gmail.com.

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