Each year, the IOCDF holds the One Million Steps For OCD Walk. OCD Louisiana has participated since 2018. Our walk provides a supportive community, increases awareness, and raises funds for the IOCDF and OCD Louisiana, enabling us to continue our mission of Resources, Research, and Respect!
OCD Walk 2023
Sunday, October 8
Washington Square, New Orleans
Since the 2022 walk in Washington Square was such a success, we decided to return in 2023! Approximately 50 of us gathered that Sunday morning to raise awareness and connect with the community. In total, we raised over $2000 for OCD Louisiana and the International OCD Foundation! This enabled us to give out complimentary registration to the IOCDF’s online conferences for three lucky individuals! In addition, our friends at Rise Center for OCD and Anxiety made it possible for our walkers to show off their superhero powers against OCD.
OCD Walk 2022
Sunday, October 9
Washington Square, New Orleans
This year, we held the walk smack dab in the middle of New Orleans, and we were so pleased with the turnout and interest of those gathering in Washington Square. We were able to raise over $1500 for the International OCD Foundation and OCD Louisiana! We had an Instagram photo station set up for walkers, had a few furry friends show up, and even gave out a few fun awards and prizes. Our participants also loved the new 2022 OCD Walk t-shirts!
Instagram photo fun 🙂
Thanks to everyone who donated and came out, including Fox 8’s Josh Roberson!!! Check out his segment about the OCD Walk: https://www.fox8live.com/video/2022/10/10/dozens-took-streets-nola-raise-awareness-ocd/
OCD Walk 2021
October 23, LaSalle Park, Metairie
Hurricane Ida threw a wrench in our initial plans to hold the New Orleans OCD Walk on September 18th. Many of our community members were substantially impacted from the storm and it was not safe for us to gather in LaSalle Park. Although Hurricane Ida knocked us down, we were not going to let her stop us from getting back up. After folks were able to tend to their homes and local communities, and it was safe for us to gather and walk in the park, we came together in support of each other on October 23rd. We raised over $1200 for the International OCD Foundation.
The OCD Louisiana Community
Attendees were excited to get together in person at LaSalle Park
Why We Walk
Michele and Sean (upper left), Topanga (lower left), and Melissa show off why they walk
1 Million Steps
On Display
A big thank you to Ashley and Bob for displaying their art.
Awards Ceremony and Raffle
Walkers were awarded certificates such as for traveling the furthest, being most likely to have their art on display in a museum, and being “the leader of the pack.” Raffle prizes donated by the ocdopus.
OCD Walk 2020
October 10th
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted events globally in 2020, including the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk. The International OCD Foundation, along with its affiliates, rose to the challenge and transformed the walk into an event that reflected the “new normal.” Instead of having multiple in-person events across the country, the OCD Walk was held as a single virtual event. Walkers viewed the IOCDF’s opening ceremony online, then walked in their communities.
In 2020, we raised over $900 for the International OCD Foundation. Due to the virtual nature of the walk, we have limited photos this year. Photos by board members Michele Carroll and Kristin Fitch are featured below.
OCD Walk 2019
October 20th, City Park, New Orleans
In 2019, we raised over $3200 for the International OCD Foundation!
On a beautiful day in City Park, our attendees gathered at Popp’s Bandstand to raise awareness for OCD, support each other, and learn more about OCD Louisiana.
City Park, one of the oldest urban parks in the nation, has been the venue each year for the New Orleans OCD Walk. Our route this year offered lovely scenery including moss-laden historic oak trees, the picturesque Bayou Metairie, and a Grecian-style Peristyle.
Attendees learned about symptoms of OCD and exposure and response prevention through an interactive exhibit by Leslie Higgins and Suzanne Chabaud
Many thanks go out Malerie Veillon, who donated her time to capture these stunning photographs of our walk.
OCD Walk 2018
June 9th, City Park, New Orleans
We raised over $1200 for the International OCD Foundation
1st Column: 2018 walker t-shirts; walkers congregate prior to the start of the walk; Vice President Leslie Higgins giving opening remarks
2nd Column: Walk crew – Suzanne Chabaud, Gail Pesses, Michele Carroll, Leslie Higgins, Eric Martin, Melissa Dufrene; Attendees walking around the Big Lake
3rd Column: Attendees listen to Michele Carroll (Treasurer) read a poem about OCD and recovery entitled Where I’m From; One of our walk crew
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