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Health & Fitness

Concord native to take on Heartbreak Hill in memory of her friend

Whitney Angell Leonard, a Concord native, will be among the 36,000 people running the 118th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2014. By running, Whitney will help Samaritans, a local suicide prevention organization, raise awareness and much needed funds for its life-saving services.

Whitney is one of 24 people who are running the distance for suicide prevention for Samaritans. Whitney grew up in Concord and is running the Boston Marathon to support suicide prevention in memory of her dear friend Katie Craig, who committed suicide in 2007, after a battle with bipolar disorder. After attending Williams College (where she met Katie), Whitney spent three years living in Montana and has now returned to the East Coast for law school at Yale, where she is focusing on environmental law. Whitney says she is thrilled and honored to be running on the Samaritans Marathon Team this year, in her first marathon ever.

The 2014 Boston Marathon John Hancock Non-Profit Program graciously donated 13 official race entries to Samaritans, a suicide prevention organization that has been serving the Greater Boston and MetroWest area for 40 years. They will be joining nine Samaritans’ runners who are returning to complete the race they were unable to finish due to the Boston Marathon bombings last year, as well as the first two qualified runners to make the decision to run on Samaritans’ behalf.

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Samaritans saw an increase in people applying to them for a number for this year’s Boston Marathon and is fielding its largest team ever. Whitney was chosen to receive a number through the John Hancock Non-Profit Program and has set a fundraising goal of $12,000, having smashed her initial fundraising goal of $9,000. With Whitney’s help, the 2014 Samaritans Marathon Team’s goal is to exceed $150,000.

It is a privilege to be part of the 2014 Samaritans Marathon Team,” said Whitney. “Growing up as an athlete in Concord, the idea of the Boston Marathon was always in the back of my mind, so it is very exciting to make that idea become reality. And I am incredibly honored to be running the Boston Marathon for Samaritans, in particular, in memory of my good friend Katie Craig. Training this winter has brought many challenges. But every time I step outside to train in the freezing cold I’m inspired by knowing that I am making a big difference for vulnerable people in my community. Katie loved running almost as much as she loved skiing, so I can’t think of a better way to honor her and raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention than by running to raise money for the life-saving services provided by Samaritans.

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“I am humbled by the support I have already received in pursuit of my fundraising goal, and by the kind words from friends and family members, near and far,” added Whitney. During her short life, Katie’s warmth, excitement, and brilliant smile were an inspiration to everyone she met. In the years since Katie’s struggle with bipolar disorder and her suicide in 2007, I have tried to channel that inspiration into my daily life. Katie ran the Boston Marathon herself in 2006, and I know she will be with me this April, pulling me across the finish line.”

Last year, 469 volunteers helped Samaritans answer 142,577 calls and over 900 chats; deliver 268 suicide prevention workshops and community outreaches to 12,937 people; and make over 900 connections with people bereaved by suicide. Every day Samaritans helps people build resiliency skills and this was needed more than ever following the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings last year when Samaritans saw a 20% increase in its call volumes.

“Samaritans’ purpose is to reduce suicide by alleviating despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community, 24 hours a day; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and to reduce the stigma associated with suicide,” said Roberta Hurtig, Executive Director of Samaritans. “Our amazing team of marathon runners is helping us accomplish our mission through raising awareness and funds for our services that emphasize confidential, nonjudgmental, and compassionate listening. We are so grateful to have received marathon numbers from John Hancock.”

The 2014 Marathon Team is supported by Christian Caldaroni Memorial Foundation, Flavin Architects, Gina Marsh Music, Goldhaber Research Associates, Professional Athletes Foundation and Skidmore & Co.

To make a donation in honor of Whitney and Samaritans Marathon Team, please visit: http://www.crowdrise.com/Samaritans2014BostonMarathon/fundraiser/whitneyleonard

More about Samaritans

Over the past 40 years, Samaritans volunteers have answered more than 2.5 million phone calls. The agency has trained more than 4,500 volunteers and instructed more than 100,000 individuals through its Community Education and Outreach Program and has supported over 10,000 individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.

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

www.samaritanshope.org

More about The John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program

As part of its Boston Marathon sponsorship, John Hancock donates hundreds of guaranteed entries each year to select non-profits including Samaritans. Organizations use these entries to recruit individual runners who pledge to raise money for their cause. Their 2013 Marathon Program was their most successful year to date with non-profit partners raising over $7.8 million.

http://www.johnhancock.com/bostonmarathon/bostonmarathon_nonprofit.html

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