Alive Campaign reaches Anchorage!

After 73 days and 4,500 miles, the Alive Campaign riders crossed the finish line Sunday, biking into Anchorage, Alaska — right on schedule! (For background on the Alive Campaign for suicide prevention and awareness, click here.)

The remaining four riders — Justin Brown of El Paso, Texas; Alyson Erikson of San Antonio; Nathan Lloyd of Itasca, Texas; and Andi Nakasone of Okinawa, Japan (Kyle Ferguson of Schertz, Texas, was unable to complete the ride due to an injury) — will remain in Anchorage for several more days, doing some sightseeing with their families and meeting with various groups about suicide prevention, including a Tuesday event with Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell.

I doubt they knew it when they made their plans, but it just so happens that Alaska has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S., with the most deaths occurring in college-age men. They did know this much: nationwide, suicide is the third leading cause of death among college-aged young adults, claiming more than 32,000 lives each year.

So now what? After they finish their time in Anchorage, the team will being the long drive back to Waco. Upon their return, Erikson and Nakasone — Baylor film and digital media majors — will begin editing the hours upon hours of footage they’ve compiled during the trip into a documentary about the power of friendship, adventure and the stories of those who have battled depression and suicide.

The Alive Campaign team hopes to establish a university chapter system under a central parent organization in Waco, Texas. Each chapter’s mission would be to foster a peer support community and to continue spreading awareness and education locally, especially on high school and college campuses. Amazing, amazing work from “just a bunch of college kids.” To get involved, visit their website at alivecampaign.org.

Sic ’em, Alive Campaign!