Patti Zingaro has been walking the trails near her home in Genesee since February in preparation for a 20-mile walk to raise awareness of suicide prevention.
The issue hits home for her: Her son killed himself in 2002.
Alex Zingaro was 22 when he ended his life on Big Bear Mountain in California. He died weeks after starting classes at California State University-San Marcos and had recently received an associate’s degree from a community college in Utah.
“He had it all going for him,” Patti Zingaro remembers, her voice cracking. “He was a great snowboarder, good-looking; he had tons of friends; he was bright.”
The sudden loss of her son left Zingaro searching for answers that she now knows she will never find. Zingaro and her husband, Al, moved to Colorado less than a year ago for a “fresh start.” Zingaro is a substitute teacher, while her husband is a regional manager for Samsung.
Patti Zingaro will join more than 2,000 expected participants July 16-17 in Chicago for the second annual “Out of the Darkness Overnight,” a 20-mile walk from dusk until dawn.
The national event, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is expected to raise more than $1 million for suicide prevention, education and survivor programs.
In 2003, 718 people in Colorado died by suicide, according to the most recent numbers available. It’s the eighth-leading cause of death in the state, and the Department of Public Health and Environment points out that the problem is worse here than in other places. While nationally there were 10.9 suicides per 100,000 people in 2002, Colorado’s rate was considerably higher at 16 suicides per 100,000 people. In 2002, Colorado’s suicide rate was ranked seventh in the nation.
“All other major health problems, like cancer, have walks and other fundraisers that raise money for awareness and research,” said Bob Gebbia, executive director of the suicide walk. “There was nothing like that for suicide awareness prior to this event.”
The overnight walk in Chicago takes place along the lakeshore. Participants walk for 10 miles, then turn around and walk back.
A $1,000 entrance fee per person for the walk ensures that the event is taken seriously.
Zingaro has raised more than $3,700 for her walk in Alex’s memory.
“I have been so touched by friends and family” who helped raise the money, Zingaro said. “I’ve never wanted to do a walk in my life, but I feel driven to promote awareness on Alex’s behalf.”
Many families of suicide victims are ashamed and may never talk about it, Gebbia said.
“The whole idea of ‘out of the darkness’ is symbolic of the problem because suicide is not talked about,” he said. “It is a very powerful symbol.”
Jennifer Olson of Denver, whose father died by suicide in 1999, also will participate in the walk. She has struggled with the death of her father for years, and the walk has given her the opportunity to release her fears of suicide.
“The biggest breakthrough for me is having to face all of these things again,” Olson said. “I’ve had to overcome that embarrassment and fear, and realize the reactions are much different than I anticipated.”
Staff writer Bianca Prieto can be reached at 303-820-1201 or bprieto@denverpost.com.
