Walk to raise money for suicide prevention efforts

When Cynthia DiCosola heard that one of her son's fellow students at Batavia High School had killed himself, she started reading comments left by young mourners on a memorial Facebook page.

More than 800 teens quickly visited the page, posting their feelings about the April 28 death of freshman Dylan Wagner. It was "a community looking for a way to respond to what has happened," DiCosola said.

But some of the posts disturbed her.

Initially, "there were so many glib comments that don't understand the finality of death," she said. And knowing that many families have to deal with depression and suicide, she thought an educational event might help. "Suicide is a loss to everyone," DiCosola said.

With the permission of Wagner's family, she has organized the "Hold Out Hope Dylan Wagner Memorial Event," to be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue.

The suggested donation for participants is $10. The money will be given to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Batavia-based Suicide Prevention Services. Both organizations will have presentations about suicide.

People are encouraged to bike, skate or walk. There will be signs posted along the path with facts about suicide and suicide prevention.

There will be prize raffles, and three local bands are scheduled to perform, making for a festive event about a somber subject. And although Dylan will be remembered, it will focus mostly on suicide prevention.

People, DiCosola said "just don't know how to talk about it."