| Out of Darkness – Suicide Awareness Walk to be held in Ocean City |
 |
 |
 |
|
Ocean City, Md. – Suicide is the fourth leading cause of premature death in Worcester County. Nationwide, a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, claiming more than 34,000 lives each year.
To raise awareness about suicide and mental illness, the Jesse Klump Memorial Fund, Worcester County Health Department and Core Service Agency, Atlantic General Hospital and other local partners are holding the first Out of the Darkness Community Walk at 10 a.m. on September 29 at the Ocean City boardwalk.
The event is an outreach and fundraising effort to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the leading national nonprofit exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy. The organization reaches out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.
The goal of the event is to raise at least $5,000. To register, support a walker, or make a pledge or donation, visit http://www.outofthedarkness.org and search for the Ocean City event. There is no registration fee or minimum amount to raise to participate.
Walkers will join thousands of people nationwide to raise funds to support research aimed at improving our understanding of suicide and how to prevent it.
The ceremonial walk will feature memorial activities, local exhibitors and guest speakers. Senator Jim Mathias will give the opening speech for the event. |
