A cause I care about needs help

When my dad was 17, my paternal grandmother, Edna Colson Walton, saw no other way to escape her depression than to end her own life.  The effects of her death have reverberated through my family ever since, not only in the horrible loss of my dad's mother, but also in the ongoing depression of the younger generations. There have been others in my family who have felt at one time or another that there was no other answer to stop their suffering besides the end of their life. Luckily no one else succeeded. I also have felt the terrible abyss of depression, and found relief in the support of family and friends and their generous listening and loving, as well as from the endorphins released by running and hiking. On October 27th, I am running the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., and I decided to raise money with this race to donate to a cause close to my heart. In the U.S., suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. Colorado consistently ranks in the top 10 states for annual deaths by suicide. In Larimer County, where I live, a suicide occurs every 4-5 days, statistically. I know of 3 in the last two weeks from Estes Park.  The Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County is a tremendous resource for everyone affected by suicide. I thank everyone who can find it in your heart and wallet to donate any amount for this important cause. 

More information about Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County: Our mission is to prevent suicide in Larimer County by raising awareness, educating and training youth and adults about suicide, and providing resources and support to those who have been impacted.