Red Sox Foundation, Loomis Sayles, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, WBUR, and WMJX Sponsor All Night Walk to Fight Suicide

News provided by

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Jun 18, 2015, 03:58 ET

BOSTON, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Five local Boston companies, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., WBUR (90.0 FM), WMJX (106.7 FM), and the Red Sox Foundation are the official sponsors of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Overnight walk in Boston. The largest annual fundraising event held by AFSP includes participants from across the country who walk more than 16 miles from sunset until sunrise to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention. The Overnight begins at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27 at Boston City Hall Plaza.

More than 2,300 people are now registered for the walk. Money raised from the walks support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and funds research, educational programs, public policy initiatives, and support for those affected by suicide. This is the second time this event will be held in Boston, the first was in 2010.

"Loomis Sayles is a proud sponsor of The Overnight here in our home town of Boston. AFSP is a vital resource for individuals and families in need of support – we are happy to help sustain these efforts and the ongoing education and outreach AFSP provides to the members of our community," said Kevin Charleston, chief executive officer of Loomis Sayles.

"Sunovion is deeply committed to developing new treatments for those affected by mental illness," said Antony Loebel, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. "We are proud to participate in The Overnight to help raise awareness and funds in support of AFSP's lifesaving mission."

"The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention evokes admiration for the lives affected in the fight against suicide. We hope that by joining forces with AFSP we will be able to help spread awareness of this important health issue," said Gena Borson, executive director of the Red Sox Foundation.

"As a public radio station, it's our mission to bring listeners information and understanding about issues affecting the community," said WBUR General Manager Charlie Kravetz. "This year, WBUR is producing a special news series about suicide to bring information to the public about this public health crisis. We hope that our stories, along with events like The Overnight, will help to overcome what many experts say is the biggest challenge to preventing suicide – not talking about it."

"I've been involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for 15 years and am so pleased to have the support of my employer, Magic 106.7FM. From AFSP's annual Out of the Darkness Community and Campus Walks, to this year's Overnight, Magic has always stood behind me and the work of AFSP's Greater Boston Chapter in raising awareness about the issues surrounding suicide and mental health," said Morning Host David O'Leary, of Magic 106.7FM.

"Every year suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined, and yet suicide prevention doesn't get anywhere near the funding given to other leading causes of death. It's through the work of organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that funds are raised for this important issue," said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. "We look forward to walking with thousands of people in Boston. Together, we can put a stop to this tragic loss of life."

History of the Overnight
Each walker raises a minimum of $1000 to participate in The Overnight. Since its inception in 2002, more than 26,000 people have participated in an Overnight walk, 4,500 people have volunteered, and over $30,000,000 has been raised to support the cause. In April 2015, a similar event was held in Dallas where 1,437 people walked and $1,457,254 was raised. To register for The Overnight, please visit theovernight.org.

The event is still accepting sponsorship applications, to apply, contact Nicole Dolan at [email protected].

Suicide in Massachusetts
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-34 in Massachusetts. Suicide cost Massachusetts a total of $728,322,000 of combined lifetime medical and work loss cost in 2010, or an average of $1,217,930 per suicide death. About three times as many people die by suicide in Massachusetts annually than by homicide.

About Loomis Sayles
Since 1926, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. has served the investment needs of institutional and mutual fund clients. As performance-driven investors seeking exceptional opportunities, Loomis Sayles employs actively managed disciplines that combine fundamental research, systematic risk assessment and experienced portfolio management. This rich tradition has earned Loomis Sayles the trust and respect of clients worldwide, for whom it manages $241 billion in assets as of March 31, 2015.

About WBUR
About 90.9 WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station: Founded in 1950, WBUR began broadcasting NPR programming in 1970, offering NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered along with local news programming. One of the nation's most successful public radio stations today, WBUR produces national NPR programs On Point, Here & Now, Only A Game and Car Talk, as well as a local daily newsmagazine, Radio Boston. Located on Commonwealth Avenue at Boston University, WBUR has the largest radio newsroom in New England, dedicated to covering topics that matter in Boston and across the nation. The work produced at WBUR can be heard on 90.9 WBUR, Boston; 89.1 WBUH, Brewster, Cape Cod; and 92.7 WBUA, Martha's Vineyard; online at www.wbur.org, or by following WBUR on Facebook and Twitter, @WBUR.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention leads the fight against suicide. We fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has 75 local chapters with programs and events nationwide. Review our Annual Report to learn more about AFSP's life-saving work, and join the national conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention