WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Foundation for Research and Education (iFred) today announced that the 2012 international "Field for Hope" campaign officially launches at the start of the Sunflower blooming season on July 1, 2012. The Field for Hope campaign is the largest-scale, international effort in history to focus directly on raising funds for depression research and education outreach. The goal of the campaign is to plant one million Sunflowers in fields in areas of Liberia, Kenya, Nepal, Germany, Mexico, Australia, the United States and more. Each Sunflower will serve as a symbol of light and hope for the 121 million people living with the treatable disease of depression. This unique movement has captured the attention of leaders, activists and media from around the world who are working to raise awareness and combat the effects of depression on individuals, communities and nations.
"The Field for Hope campaign is the first of its kind," said Kathryn Goetzke, Founder of iFred and leading healthcare & depression expert, "and we believe this united international effort will bring much needed awareness to the economic and social impact depression has on families, communities and countries around the world. For many of us, this is more than a fundraising campaign; it is a calling, because we know depression is a very treatable disease. By addressing the problem in a positive way, 121 million lives and those they affect can be greatly enhanced."
Fifteen global health organizations have joined the "Field for Hope" effort led by iFred, including the two pictured below from Kenya and Washington, D.C. Of the participating organizations, the one that sells and plants the greatest number of Sunflower seeds by September 31, 2012 will be awarded an additional $10,000* towards their nonprofit.
Not many people are aware of the severe economic impact depression has on business, commerce and development.
- Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and the greatest healthcare cost to business accounting for sometimes more than half of all medical dollars paid.
- Less than 25% of those with depression are getting help for their disease, simply because of negative perception / poor branding / stigma, and only 6.25% are getting adequate detection, diagnoses, and treatment.
- Despite depression's high treatment success rate, nearly 75% of those suffering from depression do not actively seek nor receive proper treatment (DBSA, 1996).
- Studies suggest depression costs the U.S. economy 4% of the GDP every year in Europe, the U.S., and Canada - equaling roughly 1.3 trillion dollars.
In addition to the nonprofit fundraising competition to plant Sunflower seeds, each moment of the Field for Hope campaign will also be captured through a coinciding photography competition, "One Million Faces of Sunflowers." Sunflowers and their growth tendency to lean towards the sun represent the names and faces of those who can easily be treated for depression. Winning photographs capturing the human-like expressions of sunflowers will be included in an international traveling exhibit following the competition. For more information, please contact Melissa Marshburn by emailing mmarshburn@ifred.org.
The Field for Hope fundraising campaign runs from July 1, 2012 - September 31, 2012.
*grants and awards come from the support of the Mood-Factory through the sales of Mood-lites at Lowe's Home Improvement Stores across the U.S.
iFred is a 501(c)(3) organization whose primary purpose in to reduce and eventually eradicate the stigma associated with depression. Depression is treatable, yet fewer than 25 percent of those experiencing a major depressive episode receive treatment, primarily due to the stigma and negative perception of depression. By "shining a positive light" on depression, iFred seeks to positively "rebrand" and "reposition" with the sunflower, the color yellow, and the focus on Hope, to secure that someday 100 percent of depression patients are willing and able to get the help they need.