“Raquel loved the program. She was reluctant the first two-weeks but by the end of the program, she didn’t want it to end,” recalls Eileen.

Looking back, Eileen wonders if her daughter's outcome would have been different if the program was available to patients on a long-term basis.

She resolved to help other families receive more of the great care Raquel had received. “My goal is to raise money to allow people to have more access to treatment at Harding and for them to benefit from the research taking place there,” said Eileen.

With the funds she has raised from her daughter’s memorial fundraising page, Eileen hopes to achieve that goal and to provide hope to other families facing mental illnesses like depression and addiction.

“This type of illness is becoming more sensitive to people. My family’s situation resonates with so many people, but some people have a hard time talking about it in the open. I am not ashamed”.

To learn more about Ohio State Harding Hospital, please visit here.

To learn more about fundraising for Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, please visit here.