22 Push-Ups Canada PTSD fundraiser exceeding expectations

Canadians have really flexed their muscles in a show of support for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the group Wounded Warriors Canada.

On August 3, the group launched an awareness campaign called 22 Push-Ups Canada, with a goal of raising $22,000 by November.

READ MORE: 22 Push-Up Challenge: What the Internet’s new fitness craze is shedding light on

Just three weeks into the campaign, close to 2,000 Canadians — many of whom are first responders — have taken up the cause. Executive director Scott Maxwell says the response has been “incredible to watch.”

“August 3 we launched this campaign and Friday night we launched into the $30,000 amount in terms of funds raised, and by the end of Sunday we were nearing $35,000 and [Monday] we will break that mark no doubt.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "August 3 we launched this campaign and Friday night we launched into the $30,000 amount in terms of funds raised, and by the end of Sunday we were nearing $35,000 and [Monday] we will break that mark no doubt."

The challenge is to do 22 push-ups each day for 22 days.

READ MORE: UNB launches program to help first responders cope with witnessing trauma

Participants encourage others to do the same on social media by using the hashtag #22pushups. They also donate $22 to the Wounded Warriors support fund.

Wounded Warriors will use the money to fund treatment programs for soldiers and first responders suffering from PTSD, Maxwell said.

According to a group called Heroes are Human, which tracks suicide rates, so far this year 46 Canadian soldiers and first responders have taken their own lives.

Canadian army veteran J.J. White of Moncton was nearly one of them. After serving his country for 35 years, White says he was diagnosed with PTSD and medically discharged from the Canadian forces in 2013. At one point he says he was at risk of taking his own life.

“You always say, ‘Oh I would never do that,’ but when you see your brothers in arms who have done it the question you ask is, ‘Could that happen to me?'” White said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You always say, 'Oh I would never do that,' but when you see your brothers in arms who have done it the question you ask is, 'Could that happen to me?'" White said.

READ MORE: Report finds first responders experiencing PTSD rates similar to combat veterans

Grateful to be emotionally strong enough to take park in a campaign, White has taken on the 22 Push-Ups Canada challenge and is sharing his story over Facebook.

“I am no longer embarrassed about it, and now I am trying to get the word out that it’s okay,” White said.

“One suicide is too many,” Maxwell said.

“Campaigns like this are a great way to engage the Canadian population that does not require a lot of time, doesn’t require a lot of funds, but they feel like they are tangibly making a difference.”

The 22 push-up social media campaign began with the Wounded Warriors organization in the U.S.