Around the Island for Suicide Prevention
Biking 112 miles around the island of O‘ahu for mental health awareness
Hello friends, family, and community,
I lost my Dad, David McIntosh, to suicide four and a half years ago. My father is the reason I love the outdoors, being active, and biking. He taught me to bike, not let anyone push me around, have fun, and love the world and my community and show that love, mostly through bringing excessive snacks.
He taught me to mountain bike, and then to take on big challenges with confidence. My ability and love for biking comes almost solely from my Dad.
I recently met some cool friends who are biking around the island of O‘ahu, currently my home, on April 7th. The goal is to ride 112 miles in one day. Because of the strength and confidence my Dad instilled in me, I decided to join in knowing I can do it if I put my mind to it (even not having spent much time riding lately).
To honor my Dad, his love for biking, and that I believe no one should lose a loved one to suicide, I’m raising money for every mile I ride to be donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawai‘i chapter and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Hawai‘i.
AFSP was one of the first organizations I connected with after my Dad died and the first grief group I attended as I quickly returned to school in Bellingham, WA after my loss. We really do not realize how important the work these organizations do is until we’re faced with a loss of this magnitude or a loss of any kind.
If you can, please support me in this ride and donate to those here in Hawai‘i that need mental health support. Please donate any amount you can! Thank you!
Activity
8 months ago
Last training ride today! We clocked 43 miles and about 1400 ft of elevation and had a great time doing it! Learned how much snacks help, how important sunscreen is, and how fun it is to have great friends to share these moments with!
Thank you to Allysa, Dan, and Cameron for being an awesome crew today! Stoked for the ride! T- 1 week!
We will be departing from Honolulu around 6am on April 7th, heading to Hawaii Kai and around the island from there, hopefully with a lunch stop in Kaneohe.
And thank you again to everyone who donated already!! So so beyond grateful for you all and the difference we are making together in the world and here in Hawai‘i.
8 months ago
Hello all! Thank you so much for your support so far! I’m truly overwhelmed by the response to this, I never imagined this much love and support and money would come from this. Deepest mahalo (thank you) from my family and I.
I recently was connected with the American Foundation for Suicide Awareness Hawai‘I chapter. From here on, donations will be donated to AFSA Hawaii! Please help me make a difference in people’s lives, because these organizations truly do make a difference. You don’t realize how important these organizations are until you need them.
AFSA provides support to loved ones who have lost someone to suicide and works on suicide prevention. My first grief group after my Dad died was hosted by a AFSA chapter and really did help me feel less alone as I began processing my loss when I quickly returned to school in Bellingham, WA.
Thank you and excited to see what change we can all make together!
8 months ago
This is the route we will be taking for the ride on April 7th!
8 months ago
Been squeezing in some training before the big ride! Today we biked up Tantalus near Honolulu, 1900 vertical ft! Amazing ride on a beautiful day with great people, and then food! Two weeks till the big ride!
