Hello!  My name is Brenda  and I am running the 2012 Boston Marathon in the hopes of saving a life!  Who's life you may ask?  It could be mine, it could be yours.  It could be a family member, neighbor, colleague, or even the stranger you just met on the bus.  Bringing awareness to suicide prevention is just one step on this journey that I hope you will take with me!

My interest in suicide prevention and awareness comes from several different areas of my life.  I currently serve as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Bedford Veteran's Hospital and  the Lead Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Veteran's Hospitals in the New England area.  In this role, I have the honor and privilege of working with Veteran's who have served our country.  Many who have come back with invisible wounds that may not be apparent to an onlooking observer.  Each day I learn from our Veterans what courage and bravery is really about. The strength and courage that I see each day of those struggling with thoughts of suicide are both overwhelming, moving and life changing.  It is one of the reasons why I will continue to work in promoting suicide prevention awareness and why I will continue to work to help our Veterans and our greater community learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide prevention.

Another reason why achieving this  goal is so important to me is my two amazing young boys (4 and 5) and my wonderful husband.  My family means the world to me and there is nothing I would not do to protect them.  With that being said, I know that promoting suicide prevention awareness is a very important step in protecting my family.  Thoughts of suicide can and does affect all walks of life.  It does not discriminate and the signs and symptoms often go unnoticed.  With that being said, making sure that the community at large, including school teachers, neighbors, medical professionals and everyone else that comes in contact with them is able to recognize crisis and help someone get the support and help they need, is another way to protect the ones that I love.  Reducing stigma and promoting wellness in every area of life will continue to progress suicide prevention and awareness.

Lastly, I have one last reason for running the Boston Marathon this year.  I will be running along side of my sister Christine, who is someone I admire and look up to.  One of the things that I have learned in my work is that a strong support system is imperative to one's personal health, growth and stability.  Running along side of my sister will continue to strengthen our bond and our physical and mental well being.

Thank you for your consideration of joining me on this journey.  Raising money for Samaritans, Inc. is something I am very proud of and honored to be a part of.  Knowing firsthand the amazing work that Samaritans does and the lives they change each day with their ability to listen and support those in need, makes this journey all the more meaningful.  I salute each of them for their work each day and admire those who have been able to reach out to them in times of need!

Again, thank you for your support!!!