Hundreds of Tulsa cyclists race for suicide prevention

A Ride for Hope

The Blazing Saddles cycling event brings families, advocates and survivors to the streets in a powerful show of support for suicide prevention. Riders bike anywhere from 19 miles to 100 miles. All the money raised will go toward local mental health resources, outreach programs and the group’s assist workshop program where IT trains people to help those who are on the verge of suicide.

Honoring Loved Ones Lost

For Bill Taitano, the mission is personal. He is the founder of Team Suicide Prevention, who helped organize the ride. He says he started the group in 2019 after his own daughter, Celestae Gibbons, was a victim of a murder suicide 9 years ago.

"Because of her death, I decided to do something about it,” said Taitano. “Tulsa, Oklahoma has been inundated with suicide. I mean, we’re like number 6 in the nation in murder suicide. We’re stepping up to make a difference,” he added. 

A Community United

Taitano says together, people can change the statistics by asking the big questions, and starting conversations that could save lives. 

“One voice makes a difference and if you have several voices out there discussing it, its going to make a difference. We’re going to make a visual impact, we’re going to make a mental impact…to all of those out there," he said.