Somerville Woman Runs Marathon in Memory of Aunt Who Committed Suicide

A number of Somervillians are running the Boston Marathon next week in support of worthy causes.

Below, we quickly profile one Somerville runner.

Name: Samantha Joseph

Age: 29

Marathon experience: None. In an email, Joseph wrote, "I had never run more than three miles in a row prior to November."

Charity: Samaritans, Inc., a suicide prevention organization.

Fundraising page: 
http://www.crowdrise.com/SamaritansMarathonTeam/fundraiser/SamanthaJoseph

Reason for running: When Joseph was 16 years old, she lost her aunt to suicide.

In her email, Joseph shared what's on her fundraising web page: "I will always remember every minute of November 1, 1999. I was a senior in high school, waiting for the principal to punish me for cutting class when he said the four words that would change my life forever, 'Your aunt has died.'

"To this day, I would trade any punishment in the world for that one, for a life without her."

She continues: "Finding Samaritans and figuring out how to turn my loss into something that helps others has been incredible. When I am answering phones on the 24 hour helpline and meeting with families dealing with the confusion and loss after a suicide, I know that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be …

"If just one person hears about our efforts, or sees our team at the run, and calls the helpline during a time of need, it will have made every early morning and every blister worthwhile."

Training tip: "If you can, run for something you care about. I never would have believed I would feel this way but this whole experience, every mile, every run in the rain and the snow, its all been a privilege."