Amanda Ivory
Every 14.6 minutes someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. Nearly 1,000,000 people attempt suicide each year. There has been a steady increase of suicide since 2000. This is the highest rate in 15 years. www.save.org
On June 1st, 2012, a group of ambitious young adults will be riding their bikes across the country in The So Many Roads Tour. From Portland, OR to Portland, ME, the group will be traveling via road bike, documenting their progress and sharing it with the thousands of people connected to their social sites and website. The tour was founded by Delicia Jernigan; a survivor of suicide wanting to create hope and raise awareness for suicide prevention.
The So Many Roads Tour is striving to raise awareness of suicide statistics, the survivors they leave behind, and bring inspiration to any that have suffered from depression and loss. Throughout the ride, they plan to meet with SOS and Suicide Prevention Groups in each state. The tour is hoping to raise funds for Outside In, a social service agency in Portland OR. Outside In works to address the needs of homeless youth and low income youth; last year sending 39 teens to college and helping 74 find employment. The organization provides medical care to more than 100 people daily. As a non-profit organization, donations are crucial for their survival.
The inspiration behind the tour stemmed from the tragic loss of Delicia’s younger brother Anthony to suicide. She began to channel her grief in a positive way, by long distance biking in the red rock mountains of St. George, UT; the benefits proved to be more than physical. She also sought out SOS (Survivors of Suicide) Groups, where she was able to connect with others and share her story. She realized the extreme importance of opening up and reaching out to help others.
Anthony Porcelli was only 21 years old when he lost his life to suicide; leaving family and friends in a state of heartbreak. Together they shared the overwhelming grief of losing someone they all adored and they shared the never-ending confusion of not knowing why. As survivors, they have found courage to share their story in hope that it will deter another from making the decision to take their life.
Delicia and her team have made an effort to get their story out. By using social media, they have been able to connect with thousands of people. The blog and website have listed information where those struggling can find support. The ride was first announced on Delicia’s Facebook page to her friends and family, from there, word spread. By the end of the day, survivors were sharing their stories on the blog page.
The persistence to push forward in life has been imprinted on Delicia’s life. When asked what she hopes to achieve, Delicia replies, “The ultimate goal is to create hope and to inspire those we meet to LIVE life in the most positive and conscious way that you can.”
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