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Paddle for Prevention

A personal campaign sponsored by Corey Smock and Lance Loney

January 17, 2015

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Paddling the Mississippi River is a journey that most would stray away from.  For us it is a challenging adventure that we can remember for the rest of our lives.  The 2,340 mile journey is an opportunity to travel to numerous towns and visit with diverse individuals that live along the river.  However, the places we see and the people we meet along the river will not be our sole reward, but the satisfaction of raising awareness for suicide prevention and saving lives will be the biggest reward of all.

My name is Lance Loney.  I was born and raised in the small town of Decorah, Iowa.  In December 2013, I graduated from Iowa State University where I earned my Bachelors Degree in Animal Ecology.  My degree emphasized in fisheries and aquatic sciences.  Currently I work for an environmental consultant company called Alaskan Observers, Inc. as a fisheries biologist.  Paddling and fishing the rivers of Northeast Iowa is one of my favorite things to do.  I look forward to the adventures and challenges the Mississippi will bring as Corey and I travel down river.  I’m excited about meeting new people, seeing how the river changes ecologically, and working to raise awareness about suicide prevention. 

My name is Corey Smock.  I was born and raised in Decorah, Iowa.  I am a 2013 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where I majored in Elementary Education and also received an endorsement in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages.  In January of 2014, I began teaching second and third grade English as a Second Language in Postville, Iowa.  For the past couple of years I have been dreaming of one day canoeing the entire Mississippi River and I’m very grateful that my dream will become a reality in the summer of 2015.  I am extremely excited to see so many interesting places and to meet some amazing people.  It will also be an honor to work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and I hope that many people may benefit from our efforts.

Lance and I are embarking on our journey with not only the hope of canoeing the entire Mississippi River, but also to raise awareness and help in the prevention of suicide.  In January of 2013, I lost a cousin of mine to suicide.  I have felt and witnessed the insurmountable pain suicide can cause to family members and friends.  Likewise, the pain and suffering felt by victims of suicide must feel just as insurmountable.  Whether this pain and suffering comes from depression, mental illness, or any another factor, it is important that we do everything we can to prevent suicide.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for Americans.  In 2012 alone, there were 40,600 suicide deaths, meaning that the suicide rate was 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people.  However, with your help we can slowly but surely decrease that number.  We are asking that you help support our cause by donating, no matter how big or small, and helping to save the lives of countless loved ones. All funds raised will go directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – National.  For more information visit the official sight of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: http://www.afsp.org/The AFSP is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Every donation is tax deductible as a charitable contribution as allowed by law. AFSP's tax ID number is 13-3393329.