Former Melrosian to Run Samaritans' 5K

A former Melrose resident is expected to participate in Samaritans' 14th annual Run For Someone Else’s Life 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Sept. 29 along the Charles River, according to a press statement.

One of the teams participating in the race is “Team Jonathan D’Ampolo," according to the statement. Their team captain, Maria D’Ampolo, is participating for the second year in memory of her cousin, Jonathan, who died in 2009, notes the statement. Growing up Jonathan and Maria lived in Melrose, read the statement.

"After I lost Jonathan, I didn’t know how to deal with it. A friend reached out to me and encouraged me to go to a meeting supported by Samaritans called Safe Place in Medford," Maria D'Ampolo said in the statement. "I refused at first. I had all these emotions and how would these people understand what I was feeling. I felt like they would judge me. Suicide can be such a taboo subject. Two weeks later I reluctantly went. It was one of the best things I ever did. Everyone there was a survivor of suicide. They listened to me, cried with me, supported me, and shared their own stories with me. They helped me realize that suicide is not about wanting to die, but about a powerful need for pain to end.

"Samaritans is a wonderful organization with 24-hour helplines available to anyone who may feel the need to end their life or in need of grief support for surviving suicide. I want more and more people to become aware of this organization because I would hate for anyone to have to endure what I went through when I lost Jonathan. I would hate to lose one more person in this world to suicide. Your support can help save a life."

The annual 5K supports local suicide prevention, and more than 2,500 runners, walkers, families and team members will support Samaritans’ mission to prevent suicide, according to the statement. More than 150 teams will be organized in memory of loved ones lost to suicid, the statement adds.

Money raised from registration fees, pledges and corporate sponsorships will benefit Samaritans' cause.

This year’s 5K event hopes to raise more than $250,000 for Samaritans’ mission to reduce the incidence of suicide in the Greater Boston and MetroWest community, read the statement. Team Jonathan D’Ampolo is hoping to raise more than $500, according to the statement. Visit the event website to make a donation.

For more information, visit the Samaritans website or call 617-536-2460.

Samaritans 24-hour helplines are:
• Boston: 617-247-0220
• Framingham: 508-875-4500
• Samaritans statewide toll-free helpline: 877-870-HOPE (4673)
• Teens: 1-800-252-TEEN (8336)