‘To Write Love on Her Arms’ Founder Jamie Tworkowski at the Hett Nov. 8

Lebanon, Ill. — Jamie Tworkowski, founder of the non-profit movement “To Write Love on Her Arms” (TWLOHA), brings his message of hope to McKendree University on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. His appearance is the second in the 2011-12 Distinguished Speaker Series at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus.

TWLOHA helps young people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. It originated in 2006, when Tworkowski posted a blog on MySpace as a way to help a friend fighting depression and started selling t-shirts to help pay for her treatment. Sparked by the support of bands such as Switchfoot, Anberlin and Paramore, the distinctive t-shirts quickly gained exposure and helped generate interest.

Tworkowski’s message, “You are not alone and this is not the end of your story,” has resonated with young people throughout the world. Based in Florida, TWHOLA now has over 700,000 followers on MySpace and Facebook. The TWLOHA team has responded to over 160,000 messages from more than 100 countries and invested $850,000 directly to treatment and recovery.

Tickets to the event are free but reservations are encouraged. Call the box office at 618-537-6863 Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m. or go online to theHett.com. Read more about TWLOHA on its website, twloha.org.

 

-McK-