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The Project Blue Light 4th Annual Memorial Ride
Gildan Ultra Cotton T-shirt
- Sizes YXS - XXXXL
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About this campaign
On August 19th, 2017 the 4th annual PROJECT BLUE LIGHT MEMORIAL RIDE will take place. The ride is in remembrance of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services professionals that have fallen to suicide. REMEMBER THEIR LIVES, HONOR THEIR SERVICE. The ride is open to bicyclists who would like to help us honor and celebrate the lives of those who have been lost. The ride is approximately 30 miles, from the Philadelphia Police Academy on State Road to the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square. Registration is free. Please consider purchasing a shirt to wear if you are planning on riding with us, or if you would like to help our cause grow so that we may help more families. Please see our Facebook page Project Blue Light of Philadelphia PA for information on our cause and to register. If you have any questions please contact us at ProjectBlueLightPhilly@gmail.com
On December 26, 2010, Philadelphia Detective Joseph Gibson, badge # 8105, took a gun and ended his own life. He was a father, a brother, a friend, and a 15 year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department. Like so many in law enforcement and emergency services, he started his career planning on helping others. What he didn’t know, was how trying to help others would affect him. Like so many in emergency services, the pain that he kept locked inside ate away at him until he could not take it anymore. He didn’t share his pain, he didn’t talk about the effect the job had on him, he didn't share the burden of his personal issues, he didn’t ask for help, and therefore, this world lost a good man. The Project Blue Light Memorial Ride was started by Joseph’s brother, Vincent. Vincent experienced firsthand the pain of losing a family member to suicide. He and his family also had to endure the added pain that came when Joseph’s life, the life of this courageous and honorable police officer, became overshadowed by the stigma and legalities of suicide. Like so many others, Vincent went down the road of pain and anger, and he almost followed in Joseph’s footsteps. Fortunately a family member was able to help Vincent, and he in turn decided to take that pain and turn it into something positive, The Project Blue Light Memorial Ride. Project Blue Light has some goals. They are to remember the lives and honor the service of these dedicated law enforcement officers and emergency services workers. To let the families and loved ones left behind know that they are not alone in their grief. To bring awareness and understanding to the issues of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To release the stigma associated with the choice of suicide. PTSD is real, and it is prevalent throughout the emergency services. It needs to be recognized and those suffering need to be helped, not shunned. Through awareness and understanding we can save the lives of those who choose to dedicate their lives to protecting and saving others. Although the project was started in the recognition of police suicide, we honor and recognize all factions of law enforcement and emergency services. IT’S NOT HOW THEY DIED, IT’S HOW THEY LIVED
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Supporters
In memory of my husband Sgt Peter Papasodora, Revere. Police Dept., Revere, MA. He took his life Jan. 25, 2008.
To show all Police that they are loved & respected
Because their lives matter.
The stress of working with crime and trauma, day in and day out crises, becomes unmanageable for some. I thank them for stepping up in the first place, though, and mourn their passing!
Last year we lost 260 First Responders to suicide. Even 1 is one too many.