Reader's Digest is giving away $1 million, honoring 10 people who make a difference nationwide. One of those people is from Cape Coral.

A death and a life -- that's how Reader's Digest sums up Virginia Cervasio's mission.

"My son Angelo, who was 26 at the time, died by suicide on January 17 of '06," Cervasio says.

Angelo is now the inspiration behind saving lives through education. Virginia created C.A.R.E.S. -- Community Awareness in Recognizing and Educating on Suicide.

"There's always that question -- could I have helped him, could I have stopped this from happening?" she says.

She hopes no one else will have to ponder those excruciating thoughts -- not if they know the signs of suicide.

Now -- Reader's Digest is helping to spread the word.

"It's a very big honor, really, I'm so honored by this,' Cervasio says.

The magazine has nationally-recognized her work -- preventing suicide and helping those who have to cope in its wake.

"I was really, really angry because she left me -- she was my mom," Lauren Reuter, 15, says.

When Lauren's mom committed suicide, C.A.R.E.S. was there to help her deal with and understand the loss.

Reader's Digest is donating $100,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Virginia's name, for more work on saving lives and mending wounds.

"If we can inspire someone to do something -- start a support group in their area or whatever -- that's a step up," Cervasio says.

Cervasio says donations and emails from people sharing their stories of loss are pouring in from those who have already read her story across the nation.

Reader's Digest is expected to hit newsstands in Southwest Florida on Tuesday, but you can read the article now on the magazine's website at http://www.rd.com/make-your-mark-make-a-difference/make-it-matter-suicide-prevention/article102215.html.

Also, you can call C.A.R.E.S. at (239) 945-2737 for help anytime.