Knights' Forum

 

Forum: Heart's Desire

TOPIC: 

Suicide Prevention

Created on: 08/09/13 06:39 AM Views: 4729 Replies: 2
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Posted Friday, August 9, 2013 06:39 AM

(Posted by Mike Erickson for Eric and Mary Jeanne Miller)

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
 

Mike

 
Edited 08/13/13 01:58 PM
I'm Aboard
Posted Tuesday, September 10, 2013 11:14 AM

Hey Eric. I just donated. I'm not going to be in the area on the 22nd so I won't be able to participate. I hope some of the other Knights can participate with you...or, if not, at least donate.

Mike

 
RE: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Posted Saturday, September 27, 2014 02:03 PM

Eric how can we contribute now that the walk is over?  

It was great to see you and your wife at the reunion 2 weeks ago.  

Ginny Mensor Marley