Volunteers Plan Out Of the Darkness Walk To Fight Suicide

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Blair County are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. The annual Blair County Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the AFSP Eastern PA Chapter and the Blair County Suicide Prevention Task Force will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Lakemont Park. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs, as well as bringing programs and trainings into Blair County.

“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Cindy James, chairperson for the Blair County Out of the Darkness Walk Committee.

The Blair County Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts.

“The walk gave us a sense of new community. It had felt like we had this ‘mark’ or almost outcast because we lost a son to suicide. But we came to the walk and there are all these people there. They were there because they lost someone to suicide, struggled themselves, or just supported the cause. You were accepted, it was okay, you could be comfortable. You could laugh, or cry, and freely talk about your loved one. No judgment,” said Billie Kochura, who lost her son to suicide.

To register as an individual or team for the walk, or become a sponsor, please visit http://www.afsp.org/blair.