In The Race for Hope

Written by:

Palmer Staff

Pictured: Louisa Benton, Audrey Gruss, Grace Walker and Randolph “Tally” Walker / Photo Credits: CAPEHART

01/30/2026

Grace and Randolph “Tally” Walker, Chairs of the Palm Beach Junior Committee of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF), hosted a festive cocktail party on Thursday, January 15 at The Beach Club, officially launching the Foundation’s winter season in Palm Beach.

One of the main upcoming events this season is HDRF’s Eighth Annual 5K Race of Hope to Defeat Depression, which will take place on February 14th. Advisory Board member Scott Snyder urged guests to join them and bring friends, even if they are not runners. “You can walk or even skip!” If you want to find out more or register to the race, click here.

More than 100 guests gathered for the evening, which celebrated the growing leadership of the Junior Committee while underscoring HDRF’s mission to advance research and understanding around depression and related mood disorders. The room was awash in the Foundation’s signature yellow, with rose-filled centerpieces and floating balloons creating an elegant and purposeful atmosphere.

HDRF was founded in 2006 by Palm Beach resident and philanthropist Audrey Gruss, in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Gruss welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of community in advancing mental health awareness. “This marks our eighth year in Palm Beach,” she said, “and we want to give a big thank you to our Junior Committee. You’re the ones starting real conversations about depression and mood disorders, driving our mission forward, spreading mental health awareness, and helping us raise critical funds for research.”

Since its founding, the organization has distinguished itself as the only nonprofit in the United States dedicated exclusively to depression research, supporting innovative neuroscience, clinical trials, and education initiatives aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment. The work HDRF supports addresses a critical and often misunderstood public health issue.

Depression affects more than 280 million people worldwide and about 18 million people in the U.S. each year. Despite its prevalence, current treatments remain ineffective for a significant portion of patients. Through its support of collaborative research, including international clinical trials and the work of the Depression Task Force, HDRF is helping move the field toward more precise, effective therapies.

As the evening made clear, Palm Beach continues to play a meaningful role in the effort to combat depression. By bringing together philanthropy, science, and community, Hope for Depression’s winter season opens with optimism and urgency, setting the tone for months of research, dialogue, and action ahead.