Upcoming Events

2026 Des Moines OCD Walk

OCD Iowa warmly invites you to get involved in our 4th annual Des Moines OCD Walk, taking place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Terra Park in Johnston. This free community event during OCD Awareness Month brings together individuals, families, and mental health advocates from across Iowa to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support those affected by OCD.

OCD affects over 240 million people globally, including 10 million Americans. It often begins in childhood or adolescence, with up to 3% of youth experiencing OCD at some point. Despite how common it is, OCD remains underrecognized and dramatically underfunded in research support compared to other similarly common disorders. Community-driven events like ours are vital in closing the awareness, education, and funding gap.

Click on the link below to register – it’s FREE to attend! Walkers who donate or fundraise $25 or more will receive an OCD Walk t-shirt at check-in. Kids under 13 get a free t-shirt, just make to register them when you sign up!

Des Moines OCD Walk
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Terra Park, Johnston, IA

Interested in Sponsoring Our Walk?

We’d love to have you join us! Sponsorship opportunities include great perks like your logo featured on our walk t-shirts, OCD Iowa’s website, social media, and promotional materials, as well as recognition during our annual walk.

Reach out to us at info@ocdiowa.org to learn more about supporting this impactful event.

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Past Events & Highlights

2025 Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk

In 2025, OCD Iowa hosted our 3rd annual Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk at Terra Park in Johnston. The event brought together more than 230 participants from across Iowa to walk in support of OCD awareness, advocacy, and community connection.

Thanks to the generosity of our walkers, donors, and sponsors, the event raised $15,700 to support OCD Iowa’s mission of increasing awareness, providing education and resources, and advocating for individuals and families affected by OCD and related disorders.

The walk featured inspiring speakers who shared stories of hope, resilience, and recovery, highlighting the strength and compassion within our OCD community.

As part of OCD Awareness Month, OCD Iowa also hosted a silent auction featuring generous donations from local businesses and community supporters. The auction raised an additional $4,606, bringing the total raised through our 2025 walk events to more than $20,000.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who walked, donated, volunteered, sponsored, or helped spread awareness. Your support allows OCD Iowa to continue building a stronger, more informed, and connected OCD community throughout Iowa.

Iowa School Counselors Association Conference

On November 4th, 2024 OCD Iowa proudly hosted a booth at the Iowa School Counselors Association Conference in Des Moines. We connected with school counselors from across the state, providing them with valuable resources to better support students with OCD and anxiety.

Our impact by the numbers:

• 250 books distributed to counselors, including What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck, Stuff That’s Loud, and Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD.
• Resources from Anxiety in the Classroom and a list of local IOCDF-member treatment providers.
• Informational brochures about OCD and anxiety.
• OCD Iowa swag to spread awareness about our organization

2nd annual Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk

In 2024, our One Million Steps for OCD Walk brought together 189 walkers and community members at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines. With your incredible support, we raised over $12,800 to fund research, advocacy, and community programs for OCD and related disorders right here in Iowa.

Thanks to you, the Des Moines walk was the 3rd largest affiliate walk in the country, both in funds raised and attendance!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors who made this event possible and helped advance OCD Iowa’s mission. Your partnership is deeply appreciated.

1st annual Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk

Our first official walk in 2023 at Gray’s Lake set the stage for a growing tradition in the Des Moines metro. We were thrilled with the turnout and community engagement in year two of our grassroots efforts.

Our Grassroots Beginnings

Our very first walk was held in 2022 at Easter Lake in Des Moines, bringing together a small but mighty group of individuals passionate about advocacy and change. That day sparked a movement, and we’ve grown each year since!