Second Annual ‘Let’s Ride’ event held in Lexington: Tearing down the stigma surrounding suicide

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — More than 720,000 people die by suicide every year, and for each suicide, there are an estimated 20 attempts.

“I want it to be open. I want it to be loud. So that way we can hug one another, we can love on one another, and we can save lives doing that,” said Leilani Gilbert, organizer of Saturday’s event.

Leilani Gilbert lost her son Caleb Pitts back in 2022 when Caleb took his own life. And from then on, she’s dedicated her time and effort to preserving his legacy, by helping the community.

“I’m a nurse and I should be able to see those signs. I should have been able to recognize things, and I didn’t in my own son. So, I just want people out there to also know that people could be struggling inside and not show it so much on the outside. And if we just rally around everyone and we show love to our community and we give back love, you know, and just open awareness that just check on your friends, check on your loved ones, just make sure that they know that they are not alone in anything,” said Gilbert.

Saturday, dozens gathered for the second annual Let’s Ride event, a motorcycle rally, that raised money for local animal shelters.

Spreading awareness, and Caleb’s love throughout the community, each event hosted by his family and friends raises thousands of dollars for whatever organization they donate to.

Family and friends say each event highlights the kind of person Caleb was…

“I know that a few of his friends that actually told me that they. That my son who committed suicide saved them from committing suicide, but just simple, nice acts and being around them and not letting them be alone in that moment that they needed somebody so much. And whether he knew that they were struggling, that that or just thought they were having a bad day. He was there for them,” said Gilbert.

But if you haven’t been able to make it to a Forever 24, Caleb Pitts event… Don’t worry, because their work isn’t finished. Family and friends are making a difference day-by-day tearing down the stigma surrounding suicide.

“If all the thousands of dollars that we donate helps one person save a life, it’s worth it,” said Gilbert.

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