2007 Alive & Running for Suicide Prevention 5K/10K
Submitted by didi on Wed, 2006-04-05 20:21.
SAVE THE DATE: This year's Alive & Running for Suicide Prevention will be held on Sunday, September 28.
A BANNER YEAR FOR DIDI HIRSCH'S ALIVE & RUNNING FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION 5K/10K
Instead of spending a quiet Sunday morning relaxing or sleeping in, more than 4,000 people chose to come out at the crack of dawn on Sunday, September 30, 2007 to walk, run, volunteer and, most importantly, raise awareness for suicide prevention.
Didi HIrsch Community Mental Health Center's Alive & Running for Suicide Prevention 5K/10K brought together people from all walks of life - from young children and expert runners, to entire families and volunteers from across Los Angeles. Participants also included runners from Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA), an after school intervention program, which joined our race for the third year. SRLA provides training and mentoring to prepare thousands of middle and high schoolers to complete the Los Angeles Marathon. This year's event not only raises funds for Didi Hirsch's suicide prevention programs but also aims to call attention to the devastating impact of suicide in our community.
"Each year, more people die by suicide than by AIDS in the U.S.," said Didi Hirsch President/CEO Kita Curry, Ph.D. "Yet few people are aware of this and even fewer know that free crisis services are available." Didi Hirsch's Suicide Prevention Center operates Los Angeles County's only 24-hour suicide prevention crisis line, for people of all ages at risk of suicide.
For many on hand race morning, it was a day to honor and remember loved ones lost to suicide. Survivors memorialized their loved ones through banners, unique shirts and bibs while also sharing personal stories and messages so that others who might be hurting can get the help they need. To further this message, Didi Hirsch gave suicide prevention bracelets to all of the SRLA participants.
In addition to raising awareness, the annual walk/run also raised crucial funds needed to support Didi Hirsch's suicide prevention programs. Many participants asked friends and family to sponsor them and several local corporate partners generously contributed as event sponsors. As a result of their generosity, we will be able to provide critical care on our 24-hour crisis line, support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and suicide prevention outreach to the surrounding community.
Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center thanks the following sponsors for their support of this event: Beacon Capital, Macquarie Foundation, Leslie & Steven Carlson, Vera Jashni, Ed.D., Janine & Henry Lichstein, Means-Knaus Partners, Northern Trust, Wyeth, Cheri Renfroe Yousem & Martin W. Greenwald and several generous anonymous donors.
Thank you also to our wonderful volunteers and runners, especially Race Committee Chair Howard Loeb and the Race Committe, who helped make this year's race such a success.
To read more about this year's race, visit our race site.