The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation recently has its seventh annual Rise Up for Ryan 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Suicide Awareness Walk.
The Rise Up for Ryan basketball tournament and walk served as a “thank you” to the community for participating in the Rise Up for Ryan fundraiser, which took place earlier in the summer, while continuing to promote suicide awareness.
“It’s to bring awareness to the community, to give back to the community that has supported us for all these years,” John O’Shea, Ryan’s father and co-founder of the organization, said.
Just under 200 basketball players played in the tournament, resulting in about 40 teams in total. Around 50 volunteers helped out to ensure the efficiency of the event.
The July 26 event took place at Lister Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the suicide awareness walk beginning around noon. Ryan’s mother, Mary O’Shea, and a friend of the O’Shea family painted rocks with beautiful pictures and inspirational quotes, which were then placed around the walking path. Around 70 people participated in the walk.
“It’s about 2.3 miles because Ryan’s number in all his sports and athletics was 23,” O’Shea said about the walk. “It’s basically two loops around Lister Park.”
Even the weather at the July 26 even could not have been more desirable, O’Shea said.
“It was unbelievable, one of the nicest ones we’ve had,” he said. “The basketball players were very fortunate.”
Ryan Patrick O’Shea had completed his first semester at Iona University before dying by suicide in January 2019. He attended South Side High School and was a talented athlete, serving as captain of the school’s basketball team.
One resource the foundation promotes at all their events is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
“It’s easy to remember for anyone who is struggling. It’s a great resource,” O’Shea said. “You can reach out to them for anything at all and there will be someone there to talk to.”
If you are anyone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
