It's so hard to believe that it's been over a year since my family lost my cousin Johnny, at the young age of 32, to suicide.  As hard a year as it's been, I'm so unbelievably proud of my family, particularly his immediate family, of how they've somehow managed to get through this very difficult year.  We still miss him, and his absence is still so very much felt each day, and most strongly, at family gatherings.

Losing Johnny in this way sparked in me a desire to do something so that no family has to go through what we've gone through, and so that no one feels as lonely, and hopeless as he did on that day.  The Samaritans, Inc. (www.samaritansofboston.org) strives to do just that.  Their 'befriending hotline' administers to those who just need someone to listen to them-the goal is that the person in despair thinks twice about taking such a drastic and final action.  In addition, The Samaritans organization helps families and friends with survivor support services - support groups, one-on-one support, and a tremendous survivor network.  The Samaritans also works to raise more awareness and discussion around this too-seldom talked about, and taboo issue.

Last year, John's Team 2007 participated in our first 'Walk for Someone Else's Life' to benefit the Samaritans of Boston.  It was a beautiful day, and our small team managed to raise close to $3,000!  The walk in total helped to raise over $100,000 for the Samaritans!  This year, on October 4th, John's Team 2008 will be there once again, hopefully filled with more family and friends, remembering Johnny, and helping others as we try to heal ourselves.

Please help us out - donate whatever you can, join the team on October 4th and help raise even more for the Samaritans, and please keep those of us who are survivors, and those who need the Samaritans in your thoughts and prayers...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support-- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!   If you feel more comfortable donating via check, please feel free to email me at elizabeth_ramos@tjx.com...