Walking from Dusk until Dawn, to Fight Suicide

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is marching from dusk until dawn this June in the fight against suicide.

According to the group – which is the nation’s largest suicide prevention organization, more than a thousand people are now registered for the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in Washington, D.C.

This event will be held from June 17-18, 2017.

The Overnight is the largest annual fundraising event held by AFSP. Participants from across the country walk more than 16 miles beginning at sunset, and through the night, to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.

Money raised from the walks support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP funds research, creates educational programs, advocates for public policy, and supports those affected by suicide.

“We must do more to prevent suicide in our country. To ensure this happens, AFSP set a bold goal to reduce the rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025, but we know that we can’t do this alone,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “Because of our dedicated Overnight walkers, who walk all night to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention, we are optimistic that we will achieve our goal and save tens of thousands of lives.”

Each walker raises a minimum of $1,000 to participate in the Overnight Walk. Since its inception in 2002, nearly 35,000 people have participated in an Overnight Walk, over 7,000 people have volunteered, and over $40 million has been raised to support the cause.

The first Overnight walk was held in Washington, D.C. and again in 2013, where 2,136 people walked and more than $2.7 million raised. This is the third time that the Overnight will be in Washington, D.C.

The Overnight theme for this year focuses on raising public awareness by answering the question “I Walk Because…”

To register for the Overnight click HERE.