May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and the AAO is recognizing members for their efforts to support others’ mental wellbeing.

Dr. Ed Gold began running seriously in 2011, completing half-marathons and developing his capacity to qualify for the 2016 Boston Marathon. He also qualified for the event in 2022 and 2026. In addition, he ran the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon. In the last three marathons, he received contributions in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), raising a total of $46,000 for the foundation.

The AFSP is the world’s #1 private funder of suicide research and also engages in suicide prevention advocacy, supporting state legislation for suicide prevention and mental health through local chapters. The Boston Marathon, which takes place the third Monday of April each year, began in 1897. Considered one of the world’s best-known road racing events, the event attracts runners from all over the world.

In orthodontic practice in Montclair for 38 years, Dr. Gold retired in 2024.
More than 10 years earlier, he became interested in fundraising for charity as he gained experience in local marathons, first soliciting sponsorships to support his local library in Montclair, New Jersey.

“The library was in need of support, and I was interested in making a contribution, but also wanted to get kids involved — especially, patients in my practice,” he says. “I convinced many patients to sponsor me for library contributions, at 10 cents per mile for local marathons.”

Participants in the Boston Marathon can accept pledges on behalf of charities designated for event-based support, of which the AFSP is one. As a runner in the 2022 marathon, Dr. Gold arranged to request contributions to the AFSP from supporters.

“Mental health concerns can impact everyone, from emotional wellbeing issues to the very serious level where there is a risk of suicide,” says Dr. Gold. “Any of us may find ourselves or a loved one in that situation. I think it’s great that the AAO is stepping up to provide mental wellness resources for members.

“As orthodontists working with thousands of young people over long periods of time — often sharing patient families’ joys and sorrows — it is heartbreaking when we see that a patient seems to be struggling with mental health,” adds Dr. Gold. “We have a significant role in each patient’s life, and when something seems a little off, we can try to reach out to the patient or parent – but may or may not learn much or be able to help substantially. For me, supporting the AFSP is a way to make a difference.”

For each marathon, Dr. Gold sends a message of thanks to his supporters, saying in part, “In marathon training, you always have a support team. The folks that bike alongside you or run part of that 22-mile training run or the neighbors that put out water for you along the way. For me, you have been my support team. That last lap, the actual marathon, is the victory lap and I dedicate that lap to you.”

Dr. Gold qualified this year for the 2027 Boston Marathon and looks forward to running in the event. He maintains his Given Gain web page for Team AFSP, and will update the page for 2027. If you’d like to support the AFSP and Dr. Gold, consider contributing in 2027 through the link above. Also, you can also still contribute to the 2026 campaign here too.

“Suicide prevention research and advocacy can have a real impact, and I am happy to support these efforts,” he says.