According to the Georgia Department of Human Resources, every year in Georgia, suicide claims the lives of approximately 900 people. Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in Georgia in 2002 and it was the third most common cause of death of those 15-34 years of age. 

Suicide is a subject that no one wants to talk about unless, of course, suicide affects you personally. In 2004, the Petro family of Fayetteville, Ga. lost their 17 year old daughter Lisa Marie to suicide. As a way to work through their grief and bring some good out of this tragedy, the Petros organized a motorcycle ride in 2005 called Lisa's Ride to raise awareness about suicide. Approximately 100 bikers participated at last year's event raising over $10,000. 

The second annual Lisa's Ride is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4.

The cost is $25 per rider and $10 per passenger, which includes a great ride, a T-Shirt, a magnet and a meal from Chick-fil-A. Non-riders can pay $10 and will receive a magnet and a Chick-fil-A meal.  Registration begins at Black Jack Motorcycles in Fairburn, Ga. at 11 a.m. Saturday. The ride leaves Black Jack's at 1 p.m. and returns to Black Jack's at 2:30 p.m. for food, music, raffle prizes, an auction and a 50/50 cash drawing.

For more information about the ride, contact Black Jack Motorcycles at 770-486-9888 or Diane Petro at 404-819-7370. 

All proceeds from this event go to Suicide Prevention Action Network-Georgia (SPAN-GA). SPAN-GA is a a non-profit organized created to reduce completed and attempted suicide in Georgia. Its focus is on creating public awareness and public/political will to provide resources to implement the Georgia State Suicide Prevent Plan. For more information about the Georgia State Suicide Prevent Plan go to http://health.state.ga.us/programs/injuryprevention/suicide.asp.

login to post comments