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In a 26-hour, 80-mile journey called Running for Blue Lives, Rob Swiderski ran a one-of-a-kind marathon to raise awareness and help officers receive the resources they need for their mental health and wellness.
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gratitude, describing his run as a “journey fueled by his mission to end the stigma of suicide and mental illness” that can ulti- mately save lives.
“Thank you, Robert. Running for Blue Lives is monumental,” the district posted on Twitter.
Swiderski also earned praise and encouragement after mak- ing his initial stop at the 8th District, which tweeted, “The 8th District truly appreciates your support. Get hydrated, only 21 police districts to go!”
But he quickly realized that this was not about an individual’s extraordinary feat. This was a celebration of officers who wake up to serve the community and risk their lives every day, despite the horrors they see on the job and the rhetoric out there work- ing against them.
“They’re dealing with so much right now,” Swiderski noted, “with the scrutiny they’re under, how difficult it is for them to do their jobs and the appreciation that they’re not getting.”
Swiderski could sense that all the officers wanted was to have their feelings heard and understood. So he kept running, mak- ing speeches and talking to the officers at each district. And the officers couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“I knew I was making an impact,” Swiderski relayed. “I could see it in their expressions that they were really present to what I was sharing. And in the words that they shared with me in re- turn, how appreciative they were.”
During his journey, Swiderski met at least 1,000 officers. With every hand he shook, he had a new reason to run.
He wanted to slow down, and at some points stop, because of soreness in his legs and swelling and blisters on his feet. In those moments, images of officers’ faces flowed through his head. He knew he couldn’t stop. One more district. And then another.
“It drove me and inspired me to keep running,” Swiderski re- vealed. “I felt like just as much as I was feeding them, they were feeding me in return. I had to keep going, and I had to be there when I said I was going to be there.”
Midnight rolled by. He had been running for more than 12 hours and was about halfway through the journey when he ar-
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Swiderski involved his immediate family in the planning process of Running for Blue Lives, including his father, Robert Sr., brother, Mike, and two broth- ers-in-law, Ryan Lord and Eddie Janiak.
rived at the 15th District.
No matter the time, herds of officers swarmed each district to
greet the man who was giving them a voice, a moment. Swider- ski believes his commitment to the run was returned tenfold by the encouragement from the officers. So he kept running.
“They showed up at all hours,” Swiderski recalled. “They were so committed to me. I’m just one guy who wants to make a dif- ference, and I’ve never felt so cared for in my life. I’m totally in awe.”
As somebody who has never been on the job, Swiderski’s tie to law enforcement is the family members who are retired offi- cers, which, in addition to his father, includes two uncles and a cousin. But he didn’t need to wear a badge to feel connected. He has his own experiences with battling mental health challenges and knows how devastating it can be. He believes all human be- ings can relate to that, regardless of profession.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was in a place of feeling hopeless and helpless,” Swiderski admitted. “I didn’t feel like going out and living, to the point where I went to end my life. And had it not been for the grace of God, I wouldn’t be here today.”
In his quest to not only better understand the mental health needs in the country but also specifically within the CPD, Swid-