About Me

Me at Mile 10 of the 2009 Overnight Walk

In February of last year, I announced to my friends and family that for most of my life, I presumed I would die from suicide.  It isn’t how I wanted to die, but I thought that it was inevitable.  That one day, I would use up all of the strength that kept me alive in the past, and I would succumb.

It was frightening to discuss such things, but I did it in order to raise money for suicide prevention. My discussions paid off in many ways.  I raised $1422 for the cause, but just as importantly, I discovered that nearly everyone has a connection to suicide and/or depression.

Suicide is the ultimate complication of depression, a medical condition which is among the most treatable of all mental health conditions.  Clinical depression affects more than 20 million people in the United States each year, and yet it remains one of the most stigmatized health problems in our society. To discuss my own experience with depression leaves me feeling exposed.

Fortunately, I did seek treatment.  For a long time, my goal was simply to be happy one percent more often than I was sad. I’m proud to say that I have achieved, maintained, and surpassed that goal. I don’t know how I will die, but I am confident that it won’t be the result of suicide.

Living a life without the burden of depression feels like starting life over, this time with endless possibilities.  It is like coming out of darkness when you have forgotten what the light is like.  When you hear about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Overnight 18-mile walk, you will know this is an organization that understands.

In 2009, I raised $1,422 for this event.  I walked the 18 miles in just under nine hours.  You can read my account of this incredible journey here.  My goal for 2010 is to raise more money and complete the event in less time.  Last year, I walked over 300 miles to train for this event and I will work every bit as hard this year to help raise funds for suicide awareness and prevention, research on depression and suicide, and support for those who have survived the loss of a loved one by suicide.

At sunset on June 26, 2010, I will begin a second 18-mile overnight walk, this time through the streets of Boston, to raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  I have committed to raising a minimum of $1000 in order to participate, but my personal goal is $1,500.  I hope you will be motivated to help me reach my goal.

At the end of this message will be a link to make an online donation. Donations may also be made by check. Please make all checks payable to: AFSP or American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

AFSP is a solid non-profit organization. In 2007, 84.7% of their funds went to direct programming (research, education, and survivor programs) and only 15.3% to administrative and fundraising costs. Additionally, AFSP is a Better Business Bureau Accredited charity which meets all 20 of the BBB’s standards for charity accountability.

Although the walk itself is a two-day event, in order to safely participate, I am once again following a 22-week training program. To help keep me accountable to everyone who will support me through donations or otherwise, I have established this site to document both my training and the walk itself.

My real-life journey out of the darkness did not happen overnight, but it is my intention that what I do over the course of one night will enable many other people to find the light that I have found. If you are motivated and able to support me through a donation, thank you. If not, then please support me in other ways– through encouragement during my training, by understanding as my free time becomes more limited because of my training, and by spreading the word about the Out of the Darkness Overnight. To donate, please go to http://www.theovernight.org/fundraising/Dani2010