Framingham native to participate in Annual 5K to support local suicide prevention and remember Ken Witham

(Boston) – More than 2,500 runners, walkers, families and team members will support Samaritans’ mission to prevent suicide at the 15th annual “Run For Someone Else’s Life” 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, September 28th along the Charles River.

The importance of a caring, compassionate community is emphasized at the event, in which more than 150 teams will be organized in memory of loved ones lost to suicide. Money raised from registration fees, pledges and corporate sponsorships will help Samaritans and its volunteers ease the despair, pain and loneliness suffered by so many individuals in our area. Samaritans believes that when people are heard and feel comforted, our entire community benefits.

One of the inspiring teams participating in this year’s event that has experienced the life-changing work of Samaritans is Ken’s Team. Team Captain Sandy created the team in memory of her boyfriend, Ken, who tragically died by suicide in 2011. “We remember Ken Witham for his huge and caring heart, his generosity and his own unique sense of humor. I know it would make him very proud that we are helping others in his name. After his death, I found support with the Samaritans' support group for survivors, Safe Place. The volunteers that run the group are kind and caring, and I appreciate all that they do for those of us who have lost a loved one by suicide.”

Samaritans is a locally based non-profit organization, and all of the proceeds generated from the 5K stay in Massachusetts and fund life-saving services, including our 24/7 helplines, Community Education and Outreach, and Grief Support Services for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Samaritans’ staff, volunteers and 5K participants are excited for the 15th Annual 5K, the only suicide prevention walk in the Commonwealth that provides financial support to the 24/7 crisis lines answered by Samaritans, including calls answered from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

This year’s event hopes to raise more than $350,000 for Samaritans’ mission to reduce the incidence of suicide in the Greater Boston and Metrowest community. Donations are still being accepted. If you would like to make a donation to Ken’s Team, please visit their fundraising webpage found at www.samaritans5K.org

More about Samaritans

The Samaritans is a premier suicide prevention organization serving the Greater Boston and Metrowest areas.  Over the past 39 years, Samaritans volunteers have answered more than 1.5 million phone calls to its 24/7 and Samariteens telephone helplines. The agency has also trained more than 4,000 volunteers and instructed more than 100,000 individuals through its community education and outreach programs. Thousands of individuals and families have been helped through the Samaritans’ grief support groups.

For more information on the Samaritans please visit www.samaritanshope.org or call 617-536-2460.

Samaritans 24/7 helplines: 

·         Boston 617-247-0220

·         Samaritans Statewide Toll Free Helpline 877-870-HOPE (4673)

·         Teens: 800-252-TEEN (8336)