Every member of Team Suicide Prevention is compassionate and has a deep desire to help those in need. This past summer, our team of eight racers and eight crew participated in the Race Across America spreading a message of hope and awareness that Suicide is preventable. Even after our finish of the Race Across America in June (3,030 miles in 7d 19h 34m), our team members continue to engage with outreach projects and events that enable us to continue our mission in spreading hope and delivering the message that suicide is preventible and there are organizations such as Hope is Oxygen, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and The Coffee Bunker in our communities there are in place to help fight the suicide epidemic and offer much needed support to those individuals and families in need. And yes, even after racing across twelve states in less than eight days, we are still riding our bicycles because that is what we do.

One of our team members who exemplifies caring for others is cyclist, Kevin Smith. Kevin is a retired Broken Arrow Fireman who spent much of his life as a first responder paramedic helping to save lives. During a ride in Little Rock, Arkansas called “Big Dam Bridge” two weekends ago, Kevin witnessed two cyclist slam into one another at a high rate of speed causing the woman cyclist to go down hard knocking her unconscious. Kevin immediately stopped to help her as many other cyclists looked or continued on with their ride. Fortunately, there were cyclists who directed traffic away from Kevin and the injured woman as well as another cyclist who stopped to help but Kevin had it under control.

It was 30 minutes before the ambulance arrived to help the fallen cyclist. Kevin stayed with the injured lady and helped put her on the rolling gurney into the ambulance. Once the ambulance left he was back on his bike, full of adrenaline, and managed to finish his 100 miles in a respectable time ahead of many other finishers despite his unschedule stop to render much needed assistance.

The injured cyclist, Martha H. from Texas, messaged Kevin and called him an “Angel watching over her”. Martha, who is an RN, suffered multiple injuries: a broken left clavicle requiring surgery, a subdural hematoma on her frontal lobe, a severe concussion, and a laceration across the back of her head that required 6 stitches…not to mention the road rash.

Whether Kevin is racing on his bicycle or rendering life saving aid to an accident victim, his intensity, kindness, and professionalism is unmatched. Did I forget to say that he has a great smile too?

Team Suicide Prevention is so proud of a mother and daughter dynamic duo on our Race Across America crew who were instrumental along with the other six crew members to the success of TSP in finishing Race Across America. These two team members are Trish Guier and Heather Guier Borsuk. These amazing ladies, who at their own admission are not bike riders, were drawn to Team Suicide Prevention to support our cause to help save lives and support suicide prevention education and research. After the tragic loss of a family member, they have made it their priority to shine light on and give voice to those who need our help in their own words “Not only are we the voice for those we have all lost, but also for those of us left behind. We are the voice for those who cannot speak; the next breath and the next step that sometimes seem so hard to take, the glimpse of hope that we all need. TSP helps us by continuously showing us how to keep our loved ones lights shining and spreading their love in this world.” Heather and Trish are both active in the America Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) which held it’s annual Out of Darkness Walk on September 25. Another dear friend of TSP and organizer of this event with Trish and Heather is Linder Pulver, founder of Hope is Oxygen. The event was attended by several hundred people who gathered in honor of their loved ones in the fight to stop suicide, bring awareness and raised over $35,000 for research and resources. Team Suicide Prevention is proud to be an official sponsor of this event.

So there you have it. While Team Suicide Prevention has a passion for riding bicycles, at our core is an intense drive to spread hope and give voice to those who need help and support in the fight against suicide. Team Suicide Prevention would like to express our sincere thanks to our supporters who continue to inspire us to keep moving forward to spread hope and to stay in the race to help save loves.

Please stay tuned for future updates regarding our participation in the 2022 Race Across The West (RAW) in June 2022 where we will continue to race our bicycles in the Race To Help Save Lives and Spread Hope.

Thank You.

Stay safe. Be Safe

cj