Personal Fundraising
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Jo-Ee Gwee

  • Malaysia    Emotional Support, Mental Health, Sport & Leisure
Raised So Far MYR 5,675

Jo-Ee Gwee

Dear Friends and Supporters ,

My name is Jo-Ee, and I want to share my story with you—a path through darkness to find light, purpose, and hope.


In 2020, I faced one of the most challenging moments of my life. After struggling silently with severe depression, I attempted to take my own life. I spent nine days in a psychiatric ward, a place where I celebrated my 34th birthday surrounded by others who felt as lost and alone as I did. It was here that I learned the true power of connection—how sharing our struggles can create a lifeline of support.

Adding to my story is the profound loss of a dear friend to suicide in 2018. This tragedy deeply impacted me and highlighted how vital it is for us to talk about mental health. His memory fuels my passion for this cause and drives my commitment to help others who are struggling.

I was later diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2, a condition that requires lifelong treatment. The road to recovery has been long, and I took a 1.5-year career break to rebuild my life. Thankfully, I have a strong support network of family and friends who helped me navigate this challenging phase. My experiences with mental health have taught me the importance of compassion and understanding.

As part of my healing, I returned to the ocean, a place that has always felt like home to me as a scuba diver and freediver. This year, I took up open water swimming, training three to four times a week. I recently competed in my first open water race, the 4km Perhentian Challenge 2024, and proudly finished second in my age category! Swimming has been a powerful outlet for my emotions and a way to connect with others. The friends I’ve made in my training squad have embraced me, supporting me every step of the way.

Today, I am excited to announce the Courage in the Current swim in collaboration with Befrienders KL, a non-profit organization providing vital emotional support to those in distress. In April 2025, I will attempt to swim 10 kilometers from Pulau Redang to Pulau Lang Tengah, starting at dawn with the hope of bringing light to those in darkness. The exact date of the swim will be determined closer to the event, likely by the end of March, as we will need to predict sea conditions to ensure a safe crossing. This swim represents the daily struggles faced by many with mental health issues—it’s an effort through the waves, ultimately striving for the dawn of hope and understanding.

The Courage in the Current swim is about raising awareness for suicide prevention and encouraging us all to offer support to loved ones who are struggling. We can break the silence around mental health and create a safe space for open conversations. This swim will be documented for ratification by the Marathon Swimmers Federation, amplifying our message even further.

This swim will be supported by WTF Swims, a swim organizer specializing in cross-channel swims in Terengganu waters. Their expertise in organizing long-distance open water swims will ensure the safety and success of this endeavor.

To make this vision a reality, I need your help. I am aiming to raise RM15,000 to cover essential expenses, including:
  • One support boat
  • Crew consisting of head crew, kayaker, feeder, observer, medic, and photographer, along with the boat skipper and boat hands
  • Food, travel, and lodging for the crew
  • Event t-shirts

Your generous donations will not only support my swim but will also contribute to the wider mission of Befrienders KL, which provides critical resources for those in need. There will be a separate fundraising campaign for Befrienders KL starting next year. If you would like to support Befrienders under this campaign, please stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you for considering supporting this cause. Together, we can inspire hope, foster connections, and shine a light for those who need it most. Your solidarity can make a world of difference.

With gratitude and warmth,
Jo-Ee



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