Cartoonists, Artists and Authors Team Up to Support PTSD Awareness

Online, July 18, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Cartoonists, fine artists and authors from around the country have donated items for an auction to bring awareness to the public about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The auction will benefit Fearless Nation PTSD Support, a 501c3 Non-Profit Public Charity dedicated to raising awareness and education about PTSD and to banishing the stigma associated with it.

"Art is such an important way to explore our thoughts and reflect on our society," said writer, cartoonist and Fearless Nation board member John Platt, who has organized the auction and donated three of his own drawings. "The artists we contacted were extremely excited to support this cause, and we are very proud to have their backing."

Artists and authors whose work appears in the auction include:

* Matt Aucoin, creator of the webcomic Percy & Grimm
* Cartoonist and art teacher Cara Bean
* Cartoonist, writer and zine creator Breanne Boland
* Shikhar Dixit, whose artwork and short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies over the last 15 years
* Artist, photographer and educator Nancy Husari
* Cartoonist and illustrator Meredith Randazzo
* Janice Shaprio, author of the acclaimed new short story collection Bummer and Other Stories

The auction began today, July 18 and will run through Sunday, July 24. It can be found on eBay by searching for "PTSD Benefit Auction."

This will be the first of several art and book actions to benefit Fearless Nation. "Quite a few authors have already promised signed books for our second auction, which we hope to hold in late August," said Platt.

"We are thrilled to have so many great artists step up and offer their work to support our efforts," said Colleen Crary, M.A., founder and Executive Director of Fearless Nation PTSD Support. "Donations like this are what make it possible for us to continue to help trauma victims worldwide and to break down the stigmas that people with PTSD face in their daily lives."