DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – (October 19, 2018) – On Saturday, November 3, Halifax Health will present the inaugural Ride to Stop Suicide Poker Run. The motorcycle ride will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a blessing of the bikes at Halifax Health – Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, 841 Jimmy Ann Drive, Daytona Beach.
The Ride to Stop Suicide Poker Run is being held to raise awareness about the devastating epidemic of suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and is one of just three leading causes that are on the rise.
A recent report released by the CDC states that, nationally, the suicide rate increased 25.4 percent from 1996 to 2016, with only the state of Nevada seeing its rate fall. In Florida, the suicide rate increased by 10.6 percent. The Florida Department of Health reports that in 2017, the suicide rates for Volusia (23.4 per 100,000 people) and Flagler (28.8 per 100,000) counties remain well above the state rate of 14.1 per 100,000 people.
The cross-county ride will feature five checkpoints:
Stop 1 – Halifax Health – Hospice Ormond Beach Care Center, 235 Booth Road, Ormond Beach
Stop 2 – Halifax Health – Emergency Department of Deltona, 3300 Halifax Crossing Blvd., Deltona
Stop 3 – Halifax Health – New Smyrna Beach Family Practice, 807 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach
Stop 4 – Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange, 1041 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange
Stop 5 – Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach, 303 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach
The final stop at Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach will feature live entertainment, food, drinks, prizes and veterans pinning. Participants will have the chance to reflect upon loved ones lost at the memory wall and designated sacred space at the event. Suicide support partners will be in attendance. Activities at the final stop will take place from 11:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
The cost to register for the motorcycle ride is $15 and includes the first hand and a food voucher. The cost for passengers is $10. Additional hands are $5.
Prizes for participants include $100 for the best hand, $100 for the worst hand, door prizes and a 50/50 chance drawing.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Halifax Health – Foundation, which uses philanthropy and charitable gifts to supplement much-needed health services for the community.
To register for the Ride to Stop Suicide Poker Run presented by Halifax Health, go to halifaxhealth.org/pokerrun. Registration is available the day of the event beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Halifax Health
Recognized by The Joint Commission as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures, Halifax Health serves Volusia and Flagler counties, providing a continuum of healthcare services through a network of organizations including a tertiary hospital, community hospital, freestanding emergency department, an urgent care, psychiatric services, a cancer treatment center with five outreach locations, the area’s largest hospice, a center for inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, primary care walk-in clinics, a walk-in clinic specializing in women’s health, a pediatric care community clinic, three children’s medical practices, a home healthcare agency, and an exclusive provider organization. Halifax Health offers the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Emergency Department, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, complete Neurosurgical Services, OB Emergency Department and Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for babies born as early as 28 weeks. For more information, visit halifaxhealth.org.
###
