In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 12.3 minutes. That is 132 people per day and half a million people per year. Luzerne County made up 54 of those deaths in 2024. It is also the leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24.
To address some of these statistics, the Friends of Rachel Club is excited to announce our 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Race. This event is a pivotal part of our mission to raise awareness about suicide prevention, promote mental health, and foster a supportive community for those affected by suicide.
We are currently offering a 9.88K (in reference to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number), 5K, 1 Mile Memory Walk/Run and Kid’s Fun Run. Although event day is being held at the Hazleton Area High School Track & Field, runners registered for the 5K and 9.88K will not run their respective races around the track but the Hazleton Area High School campus and nearby. Actual course will be finalized and announced soon!
[If you can't make the actual event but still want to be a part of the fun and help support us, you can run a virtual 9.88K or 5K anywhere you are and you will receive the same shirt as if you were running with us! *Please note that there are no awards or results for the virtual races, just the satisfaction of running for a good cause – and of course the awesome t-shirt you will receive for completing your run.]
We invite everyone – runners, walkers, families, friends, and community members to participate and make a positive impact! Get involved in whatever way is meaningful to you. Register as an individual, start a team with your friends and family or join us as a supporter of our runners and/or loss survivors.
Join us after the run for food trucks, tricky trays, kids’ activities (e.g. kite and bracelet making stations, arts and crafts, etc.) and our Candlelight Ceremony after the race, where we provide an important sense of community for suicide loss survivors and mental health advocates and create a space for us to remember loved ones lost to suicide.
All proceeds will benefit the Friends of Rachel Club’s mental health and suicide prevention efforts within the Hazleton Area School District.
Get ready to lace up your shoes and make a difference!