Hi,

Below is a picture of my son, Jake, and myself. After his death in 2008, my family and I became involved in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and their annual community Out of the Darkness Walk. We participate in the San Francisco walk each September to help raise awareness about suicide, depression and thier prevention. We also walk to honor Jake and others who have passed away by suicide. Please consider joining us on this walk and/or contributing to this cause. Any contribution is welcomed and deeply appreciated. Simply click on the link provided or go to the AFSP site for more information.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please feel free to contact me. I hope to see some of you at Rossotti's on September 14th. 

You can donate or register to participate here.

The following is a letter we sent to our friends and family:

 

Dear friends and family,

 

Our son, Jake, died in February of 2008 from suicide at the age of 20.

He was a bright light that shone on so many, enriching our lives and touching our souls.

 

The following poem speaks so much to how we feel as a family and as individuals. Depression affects us all. If each of us help just one person to save their life and prevent their family and friends from suffering the devastation of their loss, we will have made a huge difference in this world. 

 

If we had one lifetime wish

One dream that could come true

We'd pray to God so hard

For yesterday and you.

The things we feel so deeply

Are the hardest things to say,

But we, your family, I love you

In a very special way.

They say memories are golden

Well maybe that is true.

But we never wanted memories

We only wanted you.

If teardrops were a stairway

And heartaches made a lane

We'd walk a path to heaven

And bring you back again.

A thousand times we need you

A thousand times we've cried.

If our love could have saved you

You never would have died. 

(written by Jim Symonds) 

 

Please join us on our annual Out Of The Darkness walk September 22nd from 8:00am to 11:30am at Lake Merced in San Francisco. Bring your dogs, wear Giants colors in honor of Jake's favorite team and enjoy our team after- walk picnic. All are welcome.

 

Depression is a powerful disease...but it is treatable. Please consider making a donation to Team Jake Millertime to support the AFSP with funding for vital suicide prevention research and education programs. Every dollar helps and is 100% tax deductible. Simply click on the support me button. All contributions are deeply appreciated.

 

EACH OF US HAS THE POWER TO HELP PREVENT SUICIDE.

 

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page! 

Much love to you all,

 

Eric and Mary Jeanne