Welcome to the Personal Fundraising Page of Bill Swan

Ten years ago, not long after my wife Kiera and I started dating, her brother Ryan took his own life. While I've always tried to be strong and learned quickly that the best I could do was just be there, I never got the chance to know Ryan that well and could never expect to fully understand what happened in the same way that Kiera, her family, and close friends who knew Ryan could. I also learned that a quest for some sort of answer just brings up more questions, and you will not be able to piece together a narrative of cause and effect, nor will doing that give you any peace.

Jon Thompson, a close friend of mine from childhood in my home town of Berlin, WI, also took his life late last year. I was shocked--yet in the back of my mind, because of what we went through ten years before, I'd learned that you can never take anything for granted, nor can you assume to know what the warning signs of someone contemplating suicide are on your own. And I gain no comfort by saying to myself "now I understand" more fully how Kiera and her family and friends felt ten years ago.

For that matter, even those who've experienced this kind of loss once or more than once, it doesn't necessarily give you the ability to easily detect and prevent it from happening to someone else you love in the future. It takes an active effort to gain a better understanding and, for me at least, it's obvious that I need a little help. So during the holidays, we began talking about ways that we can try to do something about it. How can we channel our losses into something positive and gain a deeper understanding about depression and suicide at the same time?

Thanks to a tip from Kiera’s dad, we were given information about an upcoming event that will help us do just that. The Out of the Darkness Overnight Experience is a 20-mile walk over the course of one night. Net proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, funding research, education, and awareness programs - both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide. Each registrant agrees to raise at least $1000 in order to participate in the walk. Please give what you can, even if it's encouragement or spreading the word.

Help raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
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