Meet Danielle Ledesma

This week, I'm excited to introduce you all to Danielle Ledesma. I asked her to come in for an interview after I read her personal story on her Walker Web page. Danielle and her family have been deeply impacted by mental illness. After losing her sister to suicide in 1999, Danielle has become dedicated to eradicating stigma and supporting NAMI to make mental health services readily available to everyone. Danielle opened up to me about her experience with NAMI and how it has helped her cope.

I lost my sister Angelica to suicide on January 25, 1999. I was living in New York at the time, but soon after moved down to Florida to be with my mom. We both went to a few different organizations for support and found NAMI to be the most grassroots and provide the most resources. When I came back to New York, I volunteered here at NAMI-NYC Metro and worked the Helpline for a little while. Then in the summer of 2006, I moved out to California to work on “The Tonight Show” and joined NAMI West Side LA. I loved that chapter and eventually I was asked to join the board.

When “The Tonight Show” ended, Danielle returned to her hometown of New York City and began walking in NAMIWalks NYC in 2010. I asked her what I ask every NAMIWalks NYC walker: Why do you walk?

I walk because with a huge group, we are getting the word about mental illness out and fighting stigma. A lot of people don’t seek help because they are ashamed and I want to show those people there is nothing to be ashamed of. I walk to raise money for this incredible organization and to get more people to join us in our fight. Most of all I walk to keep my sister’s memory alive, and I will do it every year.

Danielle is not just a walker; she has proven to be an incredible fundraiser, and this year she is well on her way to reaching Walk Star status! She has set a very specific fundraising goal of $1,978 to honor the year her sister was born, and to date she has raised $965. I was curious to know her fundraising strategies and if she’s doing anything different this year.

This year, I’ve been doing email blasts and I’m also posting information on my friends’ Facebook walls so their friends can see it. The other day I saw a friend’s friend comment on the wall post I made. It’s great because I’m able to expand into other people’s networks.

I asked Danielle what she would say to those who are having difficulty fundraising this year. She had so many great suggestions.

First, make your letter very personal but not too lengthy. Two to three paragraphs is enough. Ask those people who receive your letter to reach out to the people they know and ask those individuals to do the same. Almost like a chain letter. Also, you can create a memorial page on memory-of.com [a website that memorializes those who lost their lives to suicide]. On that site, you can ask people to honor your lost loved one by making a donation to NAMIWalks NYC and include the link to your fundraising page.

Thank you, Danielle, for sharing your story, and helping to break down the walls of stigma.