On January 7, 2021, our lives were forever changed, and a permanent hole was formed in our hearts. Dylan Jacob Buckner, an 18-year-old senior in high school, known for his many friends, outstanding academics, and position as the quarterback of the football team, tragically took his own life. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this devastating event, shattering 17 years of hopes and dreams with no apparent end in sight. In response to Dylan's death and inspired by his desire to help others, we established the Dylan Buckner Foundation.

The primary objectives of the foundation are twofold. First, we aim to raise awareness that mental health is a disease that requires attention and should not be kept silent. We encourage those grappling with mental health issues to seek help and support. Second, we endeavor to contribute funds towards alternative treatments for mental health conditions, moving away from reliance solely on traditional pharmaceutical approaches. The conventional pharmaceutical treatment process can be lengthy, with patients often spending months or even years finding the right combination of drugs. This extended period of trial and error, involving titration for 4-8 weeks, realizing that the drug isn't effective, reducing dosage over 2 weeks, and restarting the process with a different drug, leaves individuals in pain without a solution for an unacceptable amount of time. This arduous process is akin to someone struggling with their weight trying different diets for several months without losing an ounce, leading to a sense of defeat and potential abandonment of seeking help.

We have been engaging in discussions with Stanford Medical School regarding various trials that explore alternatives to traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Although I attempted to enroll Dylan in one of these trials, it was temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in February 2021, approximately 30 days after Dylan's passing, we received confirmation from the head of the trial that it had reopened. We are actively collaborating with Stanford and other institutions to identify and support promising alternatives that can provide solutions to those in need.

Through the Dylan Buckner Foundation, we hope to honor Dylan's memory by advocating for mental health awareness and facilitating the availability of effective and efficient treatments for mental health conditions.

Friday Night Lights 5K Glow Run / Walk - 7/7/23 @ 7pm