Andrew Dunn’s family and friends starting a foundation

By Ryan Crocker
Friday March 23, 2007

Andrew Dunn was an intelligent, handsome, and popular young man. His life was filled with family, friends and all the love they shared with him - but his cheerful and carefree smile masked a mental illness, one as difficult to understand as it is deadly.

Andrew battled depression for years, a painful struggle within himself that left those around him feeling as helpless as he did. Though there were many joys and blessings along the way, Andrew eventually lost his battle with the disease on Dec. 12, 2006, when he was 23-years-old. Disappearing behind depression’s devastating symptoms, he made a final choice he’d never have made otherwise - he took his own life.

The pain of losing a child is one that cannot be described with words, or even tears. The same can be said of the courage and compassion it takes to channel that pain into something positive, something good. Judy Dunn, Andrew’s mother, carries both - the pain, and the courage - in her heart.

It is because of her love for Andrew she has taken the first steps in a journey that will wind through all the days of her life - and, God willing, dramatically improve the lives of countless others. On St. Patrick’s Day, Judy used her love for her son to lay a symbolic cornerstone of sorts for the Andrew Dunn Foundation.

As the Dugald Community Club filled with family, friends, and supporters, Judy spoke about the social she was hosting and how this celebration of Andrew’s life would be used to help win the battle against depression and mental illness for good.

“This is a fundraiser to enable us to hold a Mother’s Day walk,” Judy said with a smile as strained as it was sincere. With Brenda Balinski at her side, she explained the money raised will be used to cover all the costs associated with making this walk - the first annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk - a success. Brenda and Judy share a deep friendship, the sort forged as much from hardship as from happiness. Both women have suffered through the depression of a child, and Brenda’s daughter is still living with the disease. Both women know what it’s like to realize they are powerless against a disease that is ripping their beloved children apart. Judy and Brenda are determined to do something - to use the walk as a fundraiser, one that will establish the Andrew Dunn Foundation. “I’m a mental health support worker for NEHA and I have seen, first-hand, there’s just not enough funding for mental health. It’s just not enough,” Judy said in an earlier interview, noting the foundation would be used to fund mental health research, education, and support groups - and hopefully end the stigma of mental illness, one that prevents many people from seeking help. At the social, she added, “Right now we’re working with the Health Sciences Centre because they’ve been very good about allowing us to come in and hands-on allocate where we want the funds to go - and they’re actually doing drug research right now. We just want to make sure it goes to do the most good.”

Doing good will be within everyone’s capabilities at the Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk, which will be held in Bird’s Hill Park. Participants can choose between a one or five kilometre course and have the option to walk, run, ride their bicycles, or even their horses - something Judy hopes will encourage as many individuals and groups as possible to pick up pledge sheets, raise some money for a great cause, and enjoy Mother’s Day at the park.

If the response to the St. Patrick’s Day social was any indication, Bird’s Hill could be a busy place come May 13. The Dugald Community Club was sold out on Saturday night - and there were almost as many auction items donated by individuals, businesses, and organizations in the region as there were people in the crowd.

“The community support we’ve received has been… unbelievable,” Judy said, “We’re very, very, very, very appreciative.” Now she hopes, in honour of her son Andrew, to share that feeling of gratitude with those suffering from depression and mental illness - to help them win their battle.

If you are interested in participating in the walk, sponsoring someone who is with a monetary donation, or helping out in any other way - don’t hesitate to call Brenda at 444-5771 or e-mail her at balinski@mts.net.

If you know what Judy and Brenda are going through, if you or someone in your life is struggling with depression, and you need someone to talk to - Judy is a member of Compassionate Friends, a support group, and she’s more than willing to share a conversation. Just call 444-3536.