DeSales Receives National Recognition for Out of the Darkness Campus Walk

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has awarded DeSales University fourth place in the Top Ten Out of the Darkness Fundraising Walks, 2021. 

The award represents national recognition of the chapter’s success, having raised more than $40,000 toward shifting mental health culture, saving lives, and supporting all those who have been impacted by suicide.

“It was so incredibly special and exciting to receive this news,” says Kristin Eicholtz, executive director of the Career Development Center. “Mental health awareness has always been an area of focus for me, especially working with college students; however, it was brought to the forefront after losing my sister to suicide in 2018. Knowing the remarkable resource that the AFSP is, for both those who struggle and those who survive suicide loss, I am incredibly thankful our campus walk was so successful and received recognition.”

Four years ago, DeSales launched the first Out of the Darkness Campus Walk in the Lehigh Valley. Now, the event has evolved into the Lehigh Valley Colleges and Sigma Nursing Walk, with partners including Cedar Crest College, Moravian University, Muhlenberg College, Penn State Lehigh Valley, and Northampton Community College. 

More than 300 people participated in this year’s walk, held on April 2, at Cedar Creek Park.