Dear Editor,
In a few weeks, I would be celebrating my wife’s birthday if she had not taken her life. You see, Suzanne suffered from “Bipolar disorder” (BPD). We enjoyed many happy times, but in the end, she could not handle life’s pressures. She was not alone. Health.com suggests that “up to 2.5 % of the adult population has a BPD diagnosis and of those, 20% take their own life.” BPD medications work very well, but if it is not followed closely with counseling, some BPD sufferers have difficulty staying on their medications. When they are feeling great, they become deluded and decide they do not need their drug therapy. The result is a quick slide into deep depression.
Suzanne committed suicide 1 week before our wedding anniversary. I miss her so much! If you have BPD, please stick with counseling, in the good times as well as the bad. And if your loved one has BPD, you can also get help. CMHA-Calgary Region runs weekly meetings for people whose loved ones suffer from BPD or any other mental illness. Contact Laura at Canadian Mental Health Association-Calgary region office at 403-297-1401. Other contacts are: 1-800-SUICIDE/1-800-784-2433 or Mental Health Crisis Helpline 24 hours a day at 1-877-303-2642 or cmha.calgary.ab.ca
I will never regret falling in love with Suzanne. Now, I just wish that BPD doesn’t claim another life.
Sincerely,
Dee
Dear GayCalgary,
The 6th Annual Donnie Peters Memorial Cut-A-Thon on Labour Day Monday was an incredible success. We had more sponsors than ever before, and less people did the work of many.
We kicked off with Breakfast Television Friday August 28th and just as the year before, WOW, did that segment create a buzz and seats in the chairs at the Park!
Friday Sept 4th, we kicked off Pride with the Last Days of Disco @ the Backlot raising over $1000. Then, in Tomkins Park alone we cleared well over $7800 from haircuts, merchandise sales, booths and donations.
So, in no particular order, may I say “Thank you” to: Barb Stein, Uptown 17 BRZ for donating Tomkins Park and your generous cash donation and continued support; Twisted Element for donating the sound system and INCREDIBLE cash donation of $3000; Media Sponsor: Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine; DJs: Krazy Steve, Tony Morello, Gemini, and Roger; Graphics: Del Rocko Graphics, Madding Crowd; Salons: Jami Symons Salon, Ginger Group, Alta Moda, Attributes hair perfection, The Corner, the Fringe; Doggy Division: Comfy Couch Pet Services, Doggywood; Booths: Deva Dave, Mike and “Get your Ass out There!”; Face Painting : Snickles the Clown; Food: Smokin’ Joes; Volunteer After Party: Manie’s Greek Cuisine; Sponsors: AIDS Calgary, Backlot, Clarke (Event Production), CIR Realtors (Lorne Doucette), GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine, Goliath’s/Texas Lounge, ISCCA, Huston Marketing Group Inc, La Fluer, Dr. Tim Lazaroff, MoneyPennies, The Calgary Eagle, Ox Financial Corp, Red Rose Florist, Twisted Element, U Framing and Art, AG Hair Cosmetics, Priape, Zirco, Calgary Westways Guest House, de Waal Music Studio, Discover Dental, and Shaw TV.
Once again, we’d like to thank everyone that helped in any way to make 2009 our best year ever.
Go with Love,
Linda Eckess
On behalf of the AFQOL team
Dear GayCalgary,
I want to say a great big thanks to all those who entered the Chili contest and to those who came to eat and support the fundraising event.
After a long day, starting with the AIDS walk in the morning, to show up for the contest with chilis to offer up and to eat - it was a full day for many.
We raised over $1500 dollars for Beswick, even back to back with other major events. It shows the ability of this city and community to come and support each other.
- Johnathan Finlayson
