Personal Fundraising Page for Diana Kusko's Fundraiser: SAMARITANS 2014 NYC HALF MARATHON
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Dear Friends and Family,

I am participating in March 16, 2014 NYC Half Marathon for the Samaritans of New York's charity supporting their suicide prevention programs and services.

I will be raising funds to help The Samaritans continue to operate their NYC 24-Hour Crisis Hotline, Suicide Prevention Public Education Program and Support Program for those who have lost a loved one to suicideLike many other worthwhile causes, Samaritans has felt the impact of recent budget cuts and changing landscapes and needs support now more than ever.



My father lost his fight with depression on December 29, 2012… My life was forever changed when I received the call that dad was gone. He was the type of guy who would give the shirt off his back to anybody in need.  

I was hesitant to share my story with friends, co workers and acquaintances in fear of how people would react if they knew my dad took his own life. But through the support of the Samaritans I realized that there are so many others out there just like me who have also lost a loved one to suicide and it is nothing to be scared to talk about. Perhaps if more people spoke
about the seriousness of depression and the warning signs of suicide then more lives could be saved. 

When it comes to providing support to those who have lost a loved one and for helping those in crisis, Samaritans Is Always There. 

I will never forget seeing my dad's proud face at the finish line of my first marathon in 2005. I will run the NYC Half in memory of my father who earned his angel wings way too early. 

Please support me in my efforts to help Samaritans continue to provide these invaluable services. Every donation is 100% tax-deductible and Samaritans annual report is available upon request.

 


Samaritans of New York City’s 24-hour Suicide Prevention Center www.samaritansnyc.org

The Samaritans of New York operates the only community-based organization in the NYC-Metropolitan area solely devoted to preventing suicide and helping people in crisis.

The non-religious Samaritans–part of the world’s oldest and largest suicide prevention network (with over 400 centers in 42 countries, from Argentina, Bosnia, France and Great Britain to Hong Kong, India, and Zimbabwe)–has been the major provider of suicide prevention, education and awareness services in NYC and environs for almost 30 years with programs that include:

  • New York City's only confidential 24-hour suicide prevention hotline
  • suicide prevention public education program
  • support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide
  • advocacy and community outreach for the at-risk and underserved.

 

Staffed by over 100 volunteers, Samaritans of New York’s free, confidential, 24-hour emotional support and crisis response hotline service provides those in crisis (as well as the people who care for them) with a 24-hour safety net that can be used to fill-in service gaps, bridge between appointments and act as a source of ongoing emotional maintenance for those with chronic emotional issues.

Samaritans of New York has been the primary source of suicide prevention training in NYC and environs for over 25 years providing workshops, seminars, technical support and major conferences to over 35,000 social workers, caseworkers, guidance counselors, therapists, nurses, psychologists and other caregivers and mental health professionals in NYC public schools, community non-profits, government agencies and more.

Samaritans Suicide Survivor Support Group Program provides those who have lost someone they love or are close to (“suicide survivors”) with a supportive and caring environment designed to help them cope with their loss in the company of others who have had the same experience.  These meetings are run as peer support groups, where the people participating have the opportunity to focus on their thoughts, feelings, challenges and difficulties coping with their loss, without any undo pressures or expectations or other people judging them or giving them advice.

Donors and Comments

Thomas Anthony Muller  gave $25.00 3/19/2014
"A Very Worthy Cause - thank you Diana for being such a caring individual. the world is a better place with people like you in it!"
Patricia N Corrigan  gave $50.00 3/16/2014
Laura Olivares  gave  3/14/2014
"Congratulations Diana... I will be thinking of you and your strength this weekend as you run for your dad and so many others. Wish I could have run beside you. xoxoxo Laura O."
Louise Knight  gave $25.00 3/13/2014
"Good luck, Diana! Have fun and kick some half marathon booty--and great job on all your fundraising for such a wonderful organization!"
Diana Kusko  gave $20.00 3/10/2014
"Thank you Sharon O'Kane Provo for your donation!"
Sharon Provo  pledged to give $20.00 3/4/2014
Genevieve Mcgann  pledged to give $50.00 3/4/2014
Rachel Littell  gave  3/4/2014
"Miss you Di and hope you have an amazing race! xoxo"
Keats Bar  pledged to give $150.00 3/1/2014
diana kusko  gave $482.00 2/24/2014
"Thank you To everybody who came out on Saturday night t and supported my fundraiser for The Samaritans . I truly am blessed to have so many people who love and care about me. I raised a lot of money ! I raised $482 from my guests and complete strangers. Keats bar will also be writing a check for 10% of what the bar brought in for 3 hours. xo"
Robert Nilsen  gave $100.00 2/8/2014
"Keep up the great work!"
Thomas Wilkinson  gave  2/8/2014
Marcia & Bob Stone  gave  1/23/2014
"You go girl!"
Jon Edwards  gave $25.00 1/22/2014
Morgan Becht  gave  1/22/2014
"Wishing you all my love and support, Di!!"
diana kusko  gave  1/19/2014