Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Eastern Echo Sunday, July 27, 2025 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Snow can't keep 'Love' from campus

Founder of 'To Write Love on Her Arms' made special trip to EMU after rescheduling

When EMU had a snow day Feb. 10, students gave sighs of relief. However, To Write Love on Her Arms was scheduled to perform that day and had to be rescheduled. Jamie Tworkowski, founder and speaker of TWLOHA, spent the free time where he resides in New York City.

“I walked around New York City in the snow,” Tworkowski said. “I lived in Florida for much of my life and I got to experience my first real winter. It was the treat of the day.”

Tworkowski came to speak at the Student Center Tuesday.

But his days of peace have become fewer as Tworkowski continues to spearhead the advance of TWLOHA. Hours before he was scheduled to talk at EMU, Tworkowski was attending the 6th Annual Capitol Hill Press Conference for Suicide Prevention, along with PostSecret founder Frank Warrant and Blue October lead singer Furstenfeld.

Speakers at this event called on Congress to enact rules requiring hospital clinicians to be skilled at detecting patients likely to kill themselves and to abolish dangerous hospital observation levels for suicidal patients.

“My identity is so wrapped up in this,” Tworkowski said. “Every appearance, I give myself to the public. We give two concerts a week. It has become part of my daily life now.”

So much of TWLOHA’s success is credited to the loyal and passionate young fan base that supports the organization in helping those suffering from depression, suicide, self-injury and addiction.

“We posted YouTube videos and it was fun but I am glad it is over. The over 100,000 votes we received for the Chase Community Giving Contest has been great but it is kind of awkward. It feels justified, but it also feels like a popularity contest. That is not what is at the heart of the matter.”

With the rising popularity comes recognition, like the 2009 Good Woodie Award Tworkowski won for his work in philanthropy and activism, as well as skepticism for what TWLOHA’s true aims are.

“There are people out there saying that we are just trying to sell a brand. This kind of talk comes in waves. A band came out with a negative song about us. When I find out news like that, I do not give a response. I’ve learned not to “Google” myself.”

As Tworkowski promotes awareness and understanding for such personal issues facing young adults today, he is faced with the snare of celebrity that threatens to contradict the platform of hope and support his campaign is based on.

“I am a normal dude with problems and questions of my own,” he said.

Because of Tworkowski’s unique vocation as a humanist, he is faced with situations that would leave others mute. People have posted on his various websites that reading what he has written saved them from committing suicide.

“It is a very humbling experience knowing that what I do can directly save lives. I realize that what I do is bigger than myself and all you have is this moment.”