The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating deadly disease that is Mental Illness.
I wish I knew where to start.
Since I don't, I will start with how I want to end to ensure that I can get it out.
I would like all of you to please take some time today to remember your Keith stories, tell a story about how he made you smile, tell a story about how generous he was, tell a story about his laugh, tell a story about that Keith grin he displayed in every photo, or a story of any other Keith moment that brings you joy.
Maybe that was a good place to start because it says a lot about Keith and the person he will always be in our hearts.
I grew up with the greatest little brother and not just because he did what I told him.
While most siblings tattle on each other, when we were kids we would cover for each other.
As adults, Keith was always there for Larry and I and was always supportive.
He loved our son and did everything he could to help care for him.
Keith was the most caring Uncle a little boy could ask for. Just this Friday, as Larry and I battled over who would change a poopy diaper, Keith emphatically said I will, No Problem, WHY Because it was for Zach.
Keith was generous, sweet, kind and although it seems odd to say many would describe him as gregarious.
But over the past few years, the Keith most of you knew was the face he tried to put on for work, the person he so desperately wanted to be.
He struggled to outrun his illness but it constantly chased him. It hunted him down and stole the light from his eyes.
I Love my Brother with all that I am. I hope his pain has been relieved and that he found the peace he was seeking.
I will always be grateful for the time we had and that he was my brother.
I am thankful my parents raised such a wonderful man.
I hope you will always remember the special, though short time, you had with my KEITHY and that you carry him with you through your life's journey.
...nothing beats the time when we were kids (9yrs old ish) I broke his thumb when we were riding bikes. As I remember it like yesterday, he stopped short to do a "skid" and I bumped into him from behind. Long story short I was crying hysterical for hours as we all went to the hospital because I hurt my best friend. The kicker was he wasnt crying he was trying to console me and let me know that it wasn't a big deal.
I was one of Keith's roommates in Buffalo before he left in our junior year I have never met someone who seemed to love life and who had more energy and charisma than Keith. He will be missed very much.
Keith is a GREAT young man. I think the world of him. My thoughts go back to the times we hung out together. Getting him into Reed's, going skiing, etc. I am having trouble expressing myself.......I write this with an extremely heavy heart.
I am so sorry to hear about Keith, for years he was the brother I always wished I had had. He was such a good person and as I sit here trying to write this I find that words just don't cover the loss. There was a point in my life where your family took me as one of their own when my family was falling apart, I can never repay them for that and Keith was a big part of that.
If Keith was in an unbearably painful physical illness others might more easily understand his suicide, but most people can't relate to unbearable emotional pain, emotional pain so great that death is preferable.
I grieve for all of you who tried so hard to help him. His suffering is over.
Keith was 27 years old or shall I say 27 years young. Keith was a geologist, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. He had a kind soul and touched many lives in his very short life. He will be missed every day by all who were blessed to have had him in our lives.
You truly honored Keith's memory through your commitment to helping others and raising awareness of the challenges faced by those suffering with depression, bipolar disease, and other mental illnesses.
The Keith Milano Memorial Fund is a self directed fund at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 100% of the money is spent on programs and research selected by the Milano / Sprung family.
The Keith Milano Memorial Fund has funded research grants as well as awareness programs.
We proudly helped sponsor the More Than Sad program. More Than Sad is a program of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that provides education about factors that put youth at risk for suicide, in particular depression and other mental disorders (the film features teens sharing their stories with the hope of helping others).
Keith’s fund was a major contributor for a film for bipolar disorder education to be distributed to physicians to help educate them on the disease.
Thank you for all the support as we help raise awareness about the devastating disease that is mental illness.
©2016 Keith Milano Memorial Fund. All Rights Reserved. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention legal disclaimer.