Loss

Since, I started my campaign to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (see blog post here).  I am overwhelmed with the number of people who have contacted me and shared with me their stories of loss.  Many of my friends have been affected by suicide.  Some have lost siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, and even their pastor to suicide.  Some have family members and friends that have attempted suicide and lived.  This fundraiser has taken on a whole new meaning.  Even if I don't raise a ton of money for the charity, I have people talking - talking about how it feels to be affected by suicide, sharing the love they felt for their loved ones, and simply seeking comfort in someone else who has been through the same thing.  I find this so comforting and at the same time heartbreaking that so many of my friends have suffered similar losses.  I find it sad that many feel ashamed to talk about it.  We've got to try to as a society remove the stigmas of mental illness and encourage people in crisis to seek help before it is too late.   

90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.  

I humbled by the kindness and genorosity of others that I have seen in the past few days.  In the chaos of life, we all have so much to be thankful for. 

Out of the Darkness Fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Many of you already know but to those of you that do not, two years ago I lost my older brother to suicide. He was a brother, friend, son, husband and father to three beautiful kids. It was a devastating loss to me and my family. The day before Thanksgiving two years ago was the last time I heard my brothers voice and he ended his life less than 2 weeks after. This is always a difficult time for me. This year, though, I have decided that I am not letting my sadness and grief consume me but instead do something positive with my pain. I have organized a multi-vendor fundraiser to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org). The AFSP does a lot to support families that have lost a loved one to suicide, research on mental illness, and suicide prevention. The fundraiser began Saturday, November 19, International Survivors of Suicide Day, and runs for 1 month.


Every 40 seconds someone in the World dies by suicide. Every 14.6 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide. Nearly 1,000,000 people make a suicide attempt every year. 90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death. These statistics are frightening, and I hope that our efforts through this fundraiser can help at least one family not have to suffer the same pain my family has.

So, I need your help. If you are on FB please "Like" my page Out of the Darkness Fundraiser for AFSP and if you are willing I would really appreciate it if you shared the page on your wall.


If you are unable to support the cause financially, please show your support by sharing information about this fundraiser on your blog, on FB, Twitter or with friends. Spread the word.

If you would like to contribute to the cause by shopping here is a list of the participating vendors.  Here are all the participating vendors: 


Tastefully Simple by Karen Keene
-Donating 100% of the profits back to the charity
-Order at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/kkeene2 and search for the AFSP fundraiser at checkout where it says Find Host/Event


Little Laws Prints
-Donating 20% to the cause
-Shop online at http://www.littlelawsprints.com/ and use code AFSP at checkout


AVON
-Donating 20% to the AFSP
-Go to www.youravon.com/jpeveto, click on Online Events to place an order for AFSP, and use the code INMEMORY at check out


31 Gifts
-Donating 10% to AFSP
-Shop at www.mythirtyone.com/simek and select the AFSP fundraiser


Scentsy
-Donating 12% to the charity
-Order online at https://nicoleslawson.scentsy.us/Home (no code necessary, just order online)


If you have any questions or problems with ordering contact me at klkeene@tampabay.rr.com .


Also don't forget you can still order the Serenity print through Little Laws Prints with 100% of the profits going to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

If you are interested in making a direct donation to the charity, email me for more information. 

Thank you for your support!

Serenity Print Fundraiser

I was having a rough couple nights a few weeks ago about the loss of my brother.  It's hard to believe it's been almost 2 years. I've decided that I am not going to let my sadness consume me this year. Instead, I want to pay it forward. I am dedicating the next two months to trying to raise as much money as I can for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (http://www.afsp.org/ ). This print is Part One of my campaign. This print was created by my dear friend, Kristen of Little Laws Prints. It includes a prayer that was very special to Chris, a St. Christopher's medal, which was given to Chris by Grandpa and worn daily, and Three Little Birds for one of his favorite songs and to represent his three precious children.

Part Two of my campaign is a big online multi-vendor fundraiser for the charity. It will be kicking off on November 19, International Survivors of Suicide Day, and running for a month. I personally will be donating 100% of my profits from Tastefully Simple at this time. I have a friend that lost her grandfather to suicide who sells Avon that will be donating a portion of her profits. A Thirty One Gifts consultant and Little Laws Prints will also be joining in to donate a portion of their profits as well. I will also be collecting donations to AFSP at that time. More information on that part of the fundraiser to come.

If you are interested in purchasing the print, visit Little Laws Prints or click here.

100% of the profits from the sale of this print will be going to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (http://www.afsp.org/).

Every 40 seconds someone dies in the world from suicide. Consider purchasing this inspiring print to help save another family from this devastation.

K