By Rebecca Donvito

"Honoring Life" is an event that was created to celebrate life and acknowledge the triumph of the human spirit.

It has been a breakthrough in creating a place to let people focus on the promise of life's possibilities even after tremendous hardship occurs.

The event also aims to increase awareness, and spread the word about the ability to survive personal tragedy using one's own resilient determination.

Millions are battling depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies. They spend much of their life walking through these challenges in silence. "Honoring Life" was established to break that silence and offer hope.

On May 18, the Honoring Life Committee of Los Angeles is proud to host the second annual Honoring Life Event at the Blue Sky Chateau in Woodland Hills.

Founder Sara Shai, an author, artist and activist is a tragedy survivor in her own right, having lost her husband 30 years ago to suicide. She is now helping others like herself bring about the healing needed after a major loss occurs.

Her book, "Beautiful In Black: Conversations with Suicide," is a remarkable account of this experience and the story of how she rose above adversity by creating a life of purpose.

Last year's honorees for the event included Emmy award winner Marsha Wallace, TV and film actress Mariette Hartley and Zina Bethune, founder of the Bethune Theaterdanceand the Infinite Dreams .

This year's 2008 Honoring Life Award honorees will be Susan Celentano and Art N. Borgquist.

Celentano, a psychotherapist and lecturer is founder of the highly heralded workshop "Beyond Surviving." She speaks unflinchingly about the forgiveness and acceptance needed facing the loss of her partner in 1991 to suicide.

Celentano's inspirational life brought her story to the forefront, making her this year's honoree.

Borgquist, an educator and speaker, is the event's second honoree. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Borgquist, is a life member of The Vietnam Veteran's of America. He was ambassador for the Vietnam Memorial Teachers Conference in Washington DC in 2002. In 2006, went on to win The Purple Heart Patriot Teacher of The Year Award.

Borgquist is also chairman for Voice For Democracy, a national scholarship contest for high school student's grades 9-12.

He has triumphed over immense personal challenges, having lost many close friends from the war as well three family members to suicide. Mr. Borgquist will be acknowledged for his achievements as well as his triumphant victories over life's challenges and hardships.

The event will also include an art auction; celebrity appearances; acomedic performance by the hilarious Rebecca Unglued ( RebeccaUnglued.com); atheatrical presentation titled 'The Imperfect Seed' by Carrol Mendelson; hula hoop dancing; inspirational music by Yavonne Dearth and the Mystic City Band; heroic stories; an award ceremony; and great food and music.

Proceeds of the event will go to the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center.

Dr. Kita Curry, president and CEO of Didi Hirsch, will attend the event and speak on their behalf.

For over 60 years, the center has been providing exceptional mental health and substance abuse treatment services throughout Los Angeles. It also operates the only free accredited 24-hour suicide prevention crises hotline from Orange County to Santa Barbara.

Please purchase your tickets by phone 818-222-8228 or online at www.honoringlife.org.

Tickets will include a free copy of Shai's book "Beautiful in Black."

Come join in the effort to make a difference, be part of this empowering event and spread the word, "make honoring life a way of life."