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Community Corner

Newton runner to take on Heartbreak Hill in memory of her friend

Michelle Goldhaber, a Newton resident, will run in the 118th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2014. By running, Michelle will help Samaritans, a local suicide prevention organization, raise awareness and much needed funds for its life-saving services.

Michelle, and her brother, Marcus Goldhaber, are two of 24 people who are running the distance for suicide prevention for Samaritans and have set an ambitious goal of raising $26,200 in memory and honor of Wade Fisher, her brother’s best friend who took his life in December 2012. Michelle is a native Bostonian, currently living in Newton in the same house where her mother grew up, right near mile 16 of the Boston Marathon. She has always dreamt of running the race and is extremely honored to run it for the first time this year with Samaritans. Michelle was team captain of “Team Wade” at this year’s Samaritans 5K, where she continued to be touched by the loving and inspiring work of Samaritans. Michelle works as a mediator, consultant and facilitator for Outward Bound in Boston and around the world, often in Ukraine. She loves music, reading, writing, and the outdoors and is happiest near or in the ocean.

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. Michelle was chosen to receive a number through the John Hancock Non-Profit Program. John Hancock runners raised an average of $7,600 last year and the expectation is that runners will raise even more for their chosen charity this year. With Michelle’s help, the 2014 Samaritans Marathon Team has already raised over $120,000 and the goal is to exceed $150,000.

It is a privilege to be part of the 2014 Samaritans Marathon Team,” said Michelle. "I am honored to support the good work Samaritans do all day, every day, for so many people in need. Training this winter has brought many challenges. But every time I step outside to train in the freezing cold I’m inspired that I am making a big difference for vulnerable people in my community. I am humbled by the support I have already received in pursuit of my fundraising goal.

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“Two tragedies came together that propelled me towards running Boston,” she added. “First, my brother Marcus’ very best friend, Wade Fisher, took his own life in December 2012, shattering our world as we’d known it. This last year has been an epic “heartbreak hill,” as my heart has been regularly breaking for my brother in his uphill struggle with Wade’s death. Marcus and I are very close, and have been throughout our lives. While Wade wasn’t my best friend, he was my brother’s brother, and often I haven’t been able to differentiate my pain from Marcus’s.

“On April 15, 2012, I was watching the marathon near mile 16, as I always do, misty-eyed with inspiration, touched by the commitment of so many, from near and far, running for all reasons. Running the legendary Boston Marathon, so close to home, has been my dream for years, though not until the bombs went off did I actually commit to doing it not some year, but this year. All the pain of Wade’s death combined with the refusal to let terrorists ruin this beautiful celebration of goodness and life, and set my dream in motion – I committed to pouring all of my heart and soul into this enormous feat, to focus 100% on training and raising as much awareness and money for Samaritans as possible. 

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 Michelle and Samaritans Marathon Team, please visit:

http://www.crowdrise.com/Samaritans2014BostonMarathon/fundraiser/BrotherSisterRunners

A Newton-based company Virtuous Teas has created a special "Boston Strong" black tea with all proceeds going to Samaritans, click here for more information: http://virtuousteas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_36&products_id=313

More about Samaritans          www.samaritanshope.org

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

More about The John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program

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