MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Residents participated in the second annual Color Me Awareness Run, coordinated by Behavioral Health and Health Promotions, to raise awareness for three important causes at Penny Lake Field at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 3, 2015.
Volunteers stationed throughout the course had buckets of colored powder that they threw at participants as they ran by: red representing substance abuse, purple representing domestic violence and pink representing breast cancer awareness.
Display tables at the event offered information about services, signs and symptoms pertaining to substance abuse and domestic violence.
"We were handing out awareness bracelets and information to help get the word out there,” said Fred Bernard, the substance abuse prevention specialist with Behavioral Health. “The main thing we were trying to do is tell people where services are available. We wanted to make sure people who have an issue, or know someone else that has an issue, know where to come for help.”
Participants ran because either themselves or someone they know has experienced these issues, or just to show their support.
“I have a history of working with people who have drug problems and domestic violence problems,” said Ramona Wilson, the Family Advocate Program clinical counselor. “I have a friend who died from breast cancer, and I have a friend who is currently struggling with it. So, this means a lot to me personally.”
Bernard said the turnout was great this year and he hopes it continues to become even more effective each year.