Ithaca, N.Y. — The family of Andres Lozano has started a fundraising campaign to help pay the memorial expenses for the 18 year old, who died in Ithaca last month.
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Lozano, of Florida, took his life by jumping off of the Thurston Avenue Bridge on Nov. 30. His brother, Nicolas Lozano, is a Cornell student.
“Our finances are very tight,” Nicolas Lozano writes in the YouCaring fundraising page, about which he asked The Voice to raise awareness.
“We, as a family, are reaching out for support, in order to cover Andy’s memorial service and related expenses incurred since his death. Any money left over at the end of this fundraiser will be used to help fund a memorial scholarship in order to help students who are facing situations similar to my brother’s.”
You can find the YouCaring page here. Nicolas Lozano is seeking to raise $1,870.
Nicolas Lozano also says in the post that his bright younger brother attended a Pennsylvania college but was $3,500 short even after scholarships and grants. “My family desperately wanted him to continue to attend and applied for several student loans throughout the semester but we were all rejected due to an insufficient line of credit,” Nicolas Lozano says. Andres Lozano was eventually forced to withdraw from the college about 10 days before his death.
Nicolas Lozano also writes in the YouCaring post:
“We are deeply sadden by what happened that weekend. Andy was our link to our past. He was an intelligent individual who could recite more movie lines and read books faster than anyone I know.
… Depression affects around 20 million people in the United States every year. Some seek help but many don’t. Often, the result is tragic. In our efforts to honor Andy, we are also trying to spread suicide awareness. Please support, share or simply read. I simply want to share my experience so that others can learn from Andy’s story, and from mine.”
From Cornell:
Support services are available to all members of the Cornell community. Students may consult with counselors from Gannett Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 607-255-5155. Students may speak with a peer counselor by calling EARS at 607-255-3277. Employees may call the Faculty Staff Assistance Program at 607-255-2673.
The Ithaca-based Crisis line is available at 607-272-1616. For additional resources, visit caringcommunity.cornell.edu.