Update: A Personal Plea for Your Support

Updated News regarding AFSP and the 2015 Boston Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk

In just five days over 5,000 people will gather in Boston in a dramatic effort to bring the issue of suicide "out of the darkness" and into the light of public awareness and improved prevention.  Some will walk (over 1,000) some have volunteered to staff the event and many are there as well-wishers and supporters.

Through the efforts of many people (including many of my LinkedIn associates and colleagues), I have been able to raise a substantial amount of money for this very worthy endeavor.

If you have been intending to make a donation, but have not yet done so.....What better time than now?......What better cause than this?  

Your support will help to save lives and avoid needless tragedies.

https://theovernight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=15792

Thank you!

News regarding the AFSP Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in Boston on June 27-28

I just learned that Anne and I have been selected to represent all of the parents who have lost a child to suicide during the Opening Ceremonies in Boston on June 27th. We are honored and humbled.

I also need to send out a huge group hug and thank you to everyone who has supported my request for donations to AFSP. You are awesome and I am truly blessed to be the recipient of such love and support. You will all receive individual thank you's but this will have to suffice for the moment.........Thank you, thank you, thank you......

If you have not yet donated and feel compelled to do so, there is still time. Here is the link to my fundraising page at AFSP:

https://theovernight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.participant&participantID=15792

Update: 

 It’s been a little over two weeks since I first asked for your support and the response has been fantastic.

 The Overnight Walk takes place in four weeks.

 If you have made a donation – THANK YOU!

 If you are still thinking about it, the work is crucial and there is still time to support this important cause.

 If you are unable to make a donation, your moral support is equally important and greatly appreciated.

 If you have received this information more than once I apologize – it just means that you are part of my life in multiple ways.

 So as not to be too annoying, I expect this to be my last update.

 Thank you!

Linked-In Associates,

It's been one week since I posted information regarding the 2015 Out of the Darkness Walk in Boston on June 27-28. The response has been impressive!

For those of you who have donated, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

For those of you who are thinking about it, I hope that you are able to support this very worthy cause.

For those of you who (for whatever reason) are unable to provide financial support, thank you for your positive thoughts, good wishes and moral support!

Linked-In Associates,

On December 24th, 2006 my son Chris Groener ended his life at the age of 19.  Chris faced many challenges during his all too brief life and we provided as much help and support as we could.  Unfortunately, it was not enough to prevent this tragedy.  I miss him terribly and I am determined to do anything and everything that I can to help other families avoid this awful loss.

 On June 27th-28th, my wife and I will walk 16-18 miles from dusk to dawn through the streets of Boston.  The event is called the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk and it is organized and staged by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  AFSP is the leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.  We have participated in this walk in NYC (2008), Boston (2010), Washington, DC (2013) and Philadelphia (2014).  It is both physically and emotionally difficult, but the end result is well worth the effort.

 Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old.  A person dies by suicide about every 16 minutes in the United States and an attempted suicide occurs every minute.  Far too many people come to the conclusion that suicide is the best answer for their many problems.  This can and must change and it will through hard work and effort.

 We walk to honor our son Chris (and his cousin Cory who died by suicide on June 2nd, 2012).  We walk to turn our grief into positive actions that will help to save lives.  We walk because it is the right thing to do.

 Following Chris’ death, we were fortunate to have the love and support of countless friends and family members to help us move forward.  It is our hope that the funds raised by AFSP will help other victims of depression to seek alternate solutions so that their families won’t have to walk in our path as we try to move “Out of the Darkness”.

 Please help me to help others by donating to this effort:

 https://theovernight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=15792

 If you are unable to help financially, please know that your prayers and support are equally as important.

 Important apologies:

•  If you receive this appeal more than once, I apologize.  It means you are part of my life in multiple ways;
• Some of you have generously contributed in the past.  Thank you.  The work is no less important now.  Your help is appreciated, but your support is equally important even if you are unable to donate.

 Thank you!