When Greg lost his brother Dave to suicide in 2005, he was consumed by guilt. “While I have often heard other survivors share that they did everything they could to help save their loved ones, I know that was not the case with my brother,” he shared. “I know there were many other things myself and family could have done to save his life.”
For years, he carried that burden, unsure how to keep going.
In 2010, Greg reached out for help and connected with Rick Mogil, Coordinator for the Survivors After Suicide (SAS) groups and Bereavement Services Program at Didi Hirsch. Rick listened and encouraged him to attend an 8-week SAS group. It was there that he met therapist Susan Celentano, who would change his life.
“You cannot take what you know now and put it in your head back then,” she told him–words that ignited a turning point. “Those words saved my life,” he said. “You can live with regret, but guilt will take you down.”
Through the eight-week group, Greg began to heal. Talking openly about his loss helped him carry the weight of grief, and the support he found among fellow survivors became a powerful source of connection. As his perspective shifted, so did his purpose. He was ready to help others find their way through the darkness.
In 2015, he joined his first Alive & Running event and formed Team Limelight, raising $14,000 the first year and continuing to raise thousands annually—including in-kind donations. He has served on the board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) LA Chapter and remains a dedicated advocate for suicide prevention.
“Helping other survivors only reminds us how important this work is,” he said. Through his advocacy, he’s built deeper, more meaningful friendships and found a renewed sense of purpose. “Before this loss, my friendships felt superficial. Now, I can name at least 20 other survivors of suicide loss through Didi Hirsch whose support has changed my life. They have now all become treasured close friends.”
“I love this organization, it’s just so near and dear to me.”
