Benefit walk raises suicide awareness
Each year, suicide kills more than 30,000 people and is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
In order to help put an end to this epidemic the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is sponsoring a 5K benefit walk Oct. 8, called “Out of the Darkness.”
The AFSP is the only national nonprofit organization that is committed to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education.
According to AFSP.org, approximately every 18 minutes someone in the U.S. will die from suicide, resulting in a total of 80 dead and 1,500 attempts daily.
Brenda Weiler, who lost her older sister last year to suicide, is a supporter of the AFSP and hopes to make the 5K-benefit walk an annual event in Fargo.
Weiler and her family have been organizing the entire Fargo event and hope to create an understanding about suicide in the community.
“ Usually in larger cities they are 5K walk/runs,” Weiler said. “But we’re trying to start small and work our way bigger as we can get more participation and support.”
Weiler said the AFSP has invested nearly $6.6 million toward research, education and awareness programs, as well as programs to support the survivors of suicide loss.
“ My mom has been looking into starting a local AFSP chapter in Fargo,” Weiler said. “Most walks take place in the fall and raise millions of dollars and we want to contribute to that.”
Weiler also said that last year, 50 walks brought more than 8,000 participants and raised more than $1.3 million dollars.
The opening ceremony is set to begin at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8, and will take place at the Island Park Gazebo, where the walk will begin and end.
After the walk is completed, Dr. Terry Barrett and District 11 Sen. Tim Mathern will be guest speakers.
There will also be special musical performances by Deb Jenkins, Darren Jackson of Kid Dakota & The Hopefuls, as well as Brenda Weiler.
Informational booths will be displayed and there will be an open-mic session for participants to voluntarily talk about why or for whom they are walking for.
“ We want to make everyone aware of the issue and get them to participate in the walk,” Weiler said. “I think the walk sends a strong message to the community and lets those who were affected know that they aren’t alone.”
All proceeds will benefit the prevention and awareness of suicide and the research efforts of the AFSP.
For more information about the event, contact Brenda Weiler at 503-679-3607 or at www.AFSP.org.