This past Tuesday we traveled to South Lynches Fire Department in Lake City where we participated in a Facebook Live program on SCOnfire.com to talk about our “Step Up & Step Out” program and how suicide affects family, friends, coworkers, and others who survive the loss of someone in our lives. On Wednesday, we presented our new “Step Up and Step Out” training program, also at South Lynches, to prepare participants to respond to those that may be contemplating taking their lives.
Our program is dedicated to the memory of Emily Elizabeth Avin who took her life in September of 2017. It was offered for the first time this past Wednesday in Emily’s home county as a tribute to her memory. Emily was a paramedic in Aiken County, South Carolina and a former paramedic in several other EMS organizations, including Florence County, where she was born and raised. We were honored to have Emily’s parents, Gene and Sue Ann Avin, participate in the FB program and our class to share with us their thoughts of their daughter and her passing. We believe their courageous and heartfelt sharing helped over 11,000 people who viewed the segment better understand how suicide affects the survivors of those who take their lives.
We have been blessed to now better know Emily through the hearts and words of her Mom and Dad. We pledge to them, and in Emily’s memory, to continue our efforts to help others who have lost hope. Please join us and reach out to those you know are hurting. Together, we can make a difference.