According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24. The foundation’s Out of Darkness Campus Walks are part of their student fundraising series, aimed to involve younger generations in the fight against suicide. Hundreds of campuses throughout the country, at both the high school and collegiate levels, are hosting Out of the Darkness walks, including Fordham University.
Fordham’s Campus Walk is set to take place on Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m. For the past several months, students have begun forming fundraising teams and taking part in a healthy competition, trying to raise the most money for AFSP. Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, co-chair of Fordham’s AFSP walk, explained that the teams allow people to work together to show support and reach fundraising goals. “So far, teams have been started by clubs, residence halls, USG committees, alumni, groups of friends, organizations on campus and families,” Ruzicka explained. “20 have been created, with over 125 people registering.”
The teams are made up of not only students but also parents, alumni and faculty. Ruzicka explained that anyone is welcome to register. Additionally, Fordham’s Campus Walk website states that onsite registration will be available the day of the walk from 1 p.m. until the walk begins at 2 p.m. There is no registration fee, and walk donations will be accepted through June 30.
Fordham’s walk has set an overall goal of raising $10,000 for AFSP with this event. With the walk still a couple of weeks away, the teams have already raised over $3,100. Participants are further encouraged to reach fundraising goals by the ability to receive recognition gifts from the AFSP, those who reach the fundraising goal of $100 receive a t-shirt and the top team captains will receive additional rewards.
Ruzicka explained that one of the ways that people have been fundraising is using their social media to spread awareness of the event and reach people to donate. “Other fundraising efforts have also been conducted through events held by clubs and organizations on campus, such as the [Rodrigue’s Coffee House] DJ benefit event,” Ruzicka added.
Rod’s Co-President Maura Mulvihill, FCRH ’24, explained that Rod’s wanted to do the fundraiser because they have had a DJ benefit in the past that was not only successful, but also enjoyable for all those involved. She further explained that they wanted to spotlight student talent more, hence their decision to do an exclusively student DJ event. Mulvihill clarified that Rod’s had decided to host the fundraiser before picking the charity, “We had actually been approached by the organizer of the Out of Darkness Walk happening on campus to set up a fundraising team and page, so when we thought about doing a benefit show AFSP came to mind.”
Ruzicka explained that the purpose of the walk is “to help create an open conversation on campus about mental health while supporting those who may be struggling, with the funds raised going to the New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.” She also stated that anyone who wants to start a team can do so at AFSP.org/Fordham. During the free registration process, there will be an option to create a new walk team by clicking the “create team” button. After your team has been created, anyone who registers will have the option to join your team.
Check-in and pre-walk activities will begin the day of the walk at 1 p.m., during which participants will be able to pick up their Honor Beads and stop by a variety of tables. The walk, beginning at 2 p.m., will start and end at Keating Hall, making a loop through the Rose Hill campus. Anyone looking for more information can contact Megan Ruzicka at [email protected] or Katie Turner at [email protected].
