For every donation over $20, I will wear a ribbon bearing the name of a loved one lost to suicide during the Boston Marathon. (email me at dunny131@aol.com with details)

I am running the Boston Marathon for the Samaritans in memory and honor of my dear friend, Georgie.

     For a period of time, my life seemed to unravel.  On May 22, 2008, my dear friend, Georgie, took his own life.  Georgie is the older brother to my best friends and I consider him my own as well.  Shortly after his passing, my wife and I suffered miscarriages, my grandmother died, and my wife's 36 year-old cousin passed unexpectedly.  In addition, I watched my closest friends struggle with the loss of their brother and son to suicide.  The unbound grief we all were experiencing had been crippling, but in no way could I truly understand the utter devastation unleashed on Georgie's family.  With all of this happening around me, I became depressed, put on an excessive amount of weight and my health quickly deteriorated.  

In November of 2010, my wife and I had a very healthy baby girl, and in January 2011 I decided it was time to take back control of my life and my body.  Since then I have lost 54 pounds and less than a year later, I completed the ING NYC Marathon in a time of 3:56:44. Running has become a passion and it's truly a privilege to be a part of this special team.

In April I will run the Boston Marathon in Georgie's memory.  I sank into my despair and lost control through food and unhealthy living.  Georgie chose a much different path. I am running to help the Samaritans continue its vital mission of suicide prevention and providing grief services for survivors.  Since Georgie's passing the Samaritans have offered his family invaluable grief counseling and support.  It is an honor for my small act to help provide the funds necessary to offer these and other services.

In my life there have been a handful of instances when news has hit that someone has decided to end his/her life.  At every instance, the people left behind were left asking "why?"  I ask my Boston Latin Academy, NDA and Saint Anselm College friends to remember our classmates, and I hope Dorchester will commemorate the two young men we have lost in the last few years. Maybe we can prevent another family from having to ask , "why?"             PPT

Please donate today.  Every dollar raised will help Samaritans continue its mission.  Thank you for visiting and check back often for updates on events and fundraising progress.

For more information about Samaritans life-saving programs, please visit http://www.samaritanshope.org.

No matter how you decide to contribute, please know that your support will help ensure that our confidential and anonymous befriending services remain available to the members of our community who are feeling lonely, desperate and suicidal. Thank you so much!