Actress Tanna Frederick (currently starring in Henry Jaglom's "Irene in Time") will run in the LA Marathon on March 21 to benefit these charities. Her goal is to run the marathon in 3.20. She is running on behalf of two charities which have personal meaning to her, namely, the North Iowa Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NIAMI), and the North Iowa Transition Center (http://www.northiowatransitioncenter.org/).

An Iowa native, Tanna selected NIAMI because "their financing is not adequate to allow for the programs they offer providing education, support and encouragement free of charge to families and loved ones of those with a mental illness." Tanna's mother, a psychiatric nurse and psychiatric mental health teacher at a college in north Iowa, has been a past President and active member of NIAMI for 20 years.

"I grew up educated and empathetic about mental illness as biochemical and neurobiological disorders. I know that funding for the mentally ill is inadequate and that their needs are great. With 1 out of every 5 children and adults in the U.S. suffering from a diagnosable mental illness at some time in their lives, I feel a passion for this cause knowing that it could someday affect myself or someone I love."

Tanna's father has been on the Board of Directors of the North Iowa Transition Center for 24 years. Aconsultant pharmacist for the charity, he worked to create a medication self administration system that empowered clients to live independently by taking their medications regularly.

"My father continues to be a zelaous advocate for the rights of those suffering from mental illness. I share the same passion."