Community Health Educators Melanie Nosie and Vurlene Notsinneh-Bowekaty from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Health and Human Services Department are gearing up for the upcoming Glow Walk on October 8. 

“We are in our 13th year,” said Notsinneh-Bowekaty. The annual Glow Walk began in 2011 after a tragic suicide affected the HHS Department staff. At the time they wanted to find a way to honor and commemorate individuals in the Community who have passed due to suicide. 

“In the beginning, the Glow Walk was really small. Each year we try to make it bigger,” said Notsinneh-Bowekaty.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month as well as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Notsinneh-Bowekaty and Nosie updated the Glow Walk event to deal with both topics. As a result, attendance has increased with each passing year. 

“Unfortunately, sometimes [domestic violence and suicide] go hand in hand. So, we decided to make it a suicide/domestic violence Glow Walk. When we did, we noticed more people and staff were in attendance,” said Notsinneh-Bowekaty. 

As the duo continued to brainstorm ideas to increase attendance, they decided to try handing out free t-shirts, glow sticks and more. “[In] some years we also were able to provide [walkers] with a meal,” added Notsinneh-Bowekaty. 

Last year’s Glow Walk saw an attendance of more than 200 Community members and staff, along with their families and loved ones.

“I’m glad we have these walks,” shared Nosie. “It’s definitely important to raise awareness and provide education and support on these topics. With this event, we want to … show that we can all be a community of support. It’s not for us per se, it’s for the Community to support to one another,” she said. 

This year’s Glow Walk takes place on Tuesday, October 8, with registration beginning at 5 p.m. and will feature a 1-mile lap. Walkers will start from the SRPMIC HHS parking lot and head west toward Longmore Drive, then walk east on Osborn Road and return to the parking lot. Walkers may take their time completing their lap. 

“It’s a heartwarming event,” said Nosie. “We recognize the Community’s needs and want to reduce the stigma of talking about these topics.” 

SRPMIC members and employees are invited to join in this year’s Glow Walk, which will feature freebies, guest speakers, vendor booths and more. Families and loved ones also are welcome. For more information, contact Nosie or Vurlene Notsinneh-Bowekaty on the SRPMIC HHS main line at (480) 362-7350.