BANGOR, Maine — Forty people gathered in-person and virtually to break a sweat at the Dance Away the Dark Zumba Fundraiser in Bangor on Sunday.
This event raised $300 and is the first of four this week, bringing awareness to National Suicide Prevention Week
Funds collected throughout the week will be added to the over $13,000 raised for the upcoming Out of the Darkness Walk on Sept. 21.
For many, events like this provide a space to meet and support others who have lost loved ones to suicide. Event organizer Dominique Dispirito lost her father to suicide in 2015 and says that organizing events as she does today is because of a support group flyer she saw when she was in college.
“It was the Saturday before thanksgiving. And it literally changed my life. For the first time I was in a room with other folks that had lost somebody to suicide,” she said.
This is Dispirito’s second year coordinating the event and, after surpassing the goal of $45,000 last year, the new goal is $55,000.
Dispirito says that the event is not possible without community partners like Sunshine Gannuccelli, who hosted the Zumba event at her business, Sunshine’s Fitness Studio & Nutrition Center.
“There's really no walk of life that suicide doesn't affect,” Gannuccelli said.
One of the dozens who came to dance was Jessica Fusco, a high school science teacher in Hermon. She said she sees many at work and in her community struggling.
“I do see just a lot more anxiety, depression. Not just with the school kids, but parents and families,” Fusco explained.
Registration is still open for the Out of the Darkness Walk. Details and updates for future events can be found here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, remember you are not alone and there are resources available.