Methuen resident to participate in Annual 5K to support local suicide prevention and remember Allyson Marie Kramer

(Boston) – More than 2,500 runners, walkers, families and team members will support Samaritans’ mission to prevent suicide at the 15th annual “Run For Someone Else’s Life” 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, September 28th along the Charles River.

The importance of a caring, compassion community is emphasized at the event, in which more than 150 teams will be organized in memory of loved ones lost to suicide. Money raised from registration fees, pledges and corporate sponsorships will help Samaritans and its volunteers ease the despair, pain and loneliness suffered by so many individuals in our area. Samaritans believes that when people are heard and feel comforted, our entire community benefits.

One of the inspiring teams participating in this year’s event that has experienced the life-changing work of Samaritans is Ally’s Team, captained by Stephanie Guest. Stephanie, who recently moved to Methuen from New Hampshire, will be joined by several friends and family members to celebrate the life of her dear sister, Ally, who tragically died by suicide this past July at the age of thirteen.

“My hope is to help others and to honor my sister. We have family coming from out of town to participate in event as well. We are Ally’s team and we are walking for our baby sister Allyson Marie Kramer. Ally is the baby of 5 kids. She is forever 13 years old. She is remembered for being beautiful, smart, and kind hearted. She was a self-acclaimed nerd and loved to read, write poetry and short stories. She enjoyed anime and playing computer games. She loved music. On July 18, 2013 Ally decided she wanted to leave this world.  She is immensely missed.

We walk in honor of her. We walk because when she reached out to the medical community they failed her. We walk to prevent another family from experiencing this heart wrenching pain.  We walk to help us heal.

Our goal is help raise money and raise awareness. We want people to know that help is available and people care.”

Samaritans is a locally based non-profit organization, and all of the proceeds generated from the 5K stay in Massachusetts and fund life-saving services, including our 24/7 helplines, Community Education and Outreach, and Grief Support Services for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Samaritans’ staff, volunteers and 5K participants are excited for the 15th Annual 5K, the only suicide prevention walk in the Commonwealth that provides financial support to the 24/7 crisis lines answered by Samaritans, including calls answered from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

This year’s event hopes to raise more than $350,000 for Samaritans’ mission to reduce the incidence of suicide in the Greater Boston and Metrowest community. Donations are still being accepted. If you would like to make a donation to Ally’s Team, please visit their fundraising webpage found at www.samaritans5K.org

More about Samaritans

The Samaritans is a premier suicide prevention organization serving the Greater Boston and Metrowest areas.  Over the past 39 years, Samaritans volunteers have answered more than 1.5 million phone calls to its 24/7 and Samariteens telephone helplines. The agency has also trained more than 4,000 volunteers and instructed more than 100,000 individuals through its community education and outreach programs. Thousands of individuals and families have been helped through the Samaritans’ grief support groups.

For more information on the Samaritans please visit www.samaritanshope.org or call 617-536-2460.

Samaritans 24/7 helplines: 

·         Boston 617-247-0220

·         Samaritans Statewide Toll Free Helpline 877-870-HOPE (4673)

·         Teens: 800-252-TEEN (8336)