UConn students bike across the country for suicide prevention
James Marks, 25, of Guilford, and Zach Giguere, 23, of Windsor began their summer cross-country bike trek as part of a two-decades-long UConn tradition that raises money and awareness for a specific cause. This year, the duo plans to raise awareness for suicide prevention, donating money toward advancing mental health research.
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Their cause to prevent suicide is deeply personal to Marks.
'I lost my Dad,' Marks said. 'I am glad I can do this journey to raise awareness.'
Giguere finds it critically important to raise greater awareness of the importance of mental health.
'Recently after COVID, I have seen more people struggling with anxiety and depression,' Giguere said. 'Research into these topics and supporting people who are really struggling is so important.'
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Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Mental health research and resources often lack the funding and attention they desperately need, the UConn students said.
'We believe that investing in suicide prevention—through research, crisis support, and accessible mental health care—can save lives,' they said. 'We are committed to raising awareness, advocating for change, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle.'
The two classmates' coast-to-coast trip is planned for a total of 48 days.
'A few days in, we are still on track, but we know the first few weeks will be the toughest,' Giguere said, who will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday.
'I have never been out West before,' Giguere said. 'I always wanted to see all of the U.S. This is the absolute best opportunity to do so!'
Mark shared the same sentiment.
'It's beautiful out here!' he said. 'We did our biggest bike climbs yet in the Cascades here in Washington state even climbing up Washington Pass with its 5,500-foot elevation. It's really hard but everything of America we have seen so far, has incredible views.'
Only a few days into the trek, both riders have witnessed the spirit of the American people over and over.
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'Everyone and every town we encounter are really kind and are excited to hear what we are doing,' Marks said. 'We were blessed when a stranger's truck stopped to give us Gatorade. Americans are extremely nice out here.'
Their Coast-2-Coast journey can be followed on Instagram @_coast2coast25_ and you can donate to the duo's cause by clicking on this link.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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While the EMA said that it would add a warning label to the vaccine to alert doctors and patients to the extremely rare possibility of blood clots, the agency said that "benefits of the vaccine clearly outweigh the risks." Emery, David. "Did Betty White Say She Got COVID Booster 3 Days Before She Died?" Snopes, 2 Jan. 2022, Accessed July 25, 2025. Evon, Dan. "Does AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Blood Clots?" Snopes, 16 Mar. 2021, Accessed July 25, 2025. Grow, Kory. "Ozzy Osbourne on His Road Back From Hell: 'I Was Absolutely in Agony.'" Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2019, Accessed July 25, 2025. Liles, Jordan. "No Evidence Lisa Loring's Cause of Death Was COVID-19 Vaccine." Snopes, 31 Jan. 2023, Accessed July 25, 2025. Osbourne, Ozzy. I Am Ozzy. Grand Central Publishing, 2010. Accessed July 25, 2025. "Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76: What He Shared About His Health Over the Years." 23 July 2025, Accessed July 25, 2025. Peters, Mitchell. "Ozzy Osbourne Says He's Feeling 'Relieved' After Getting His First COVID-19 Shot: Watch." Billboard, 15 Feb. 2021, Accessed July 25, 2025. Petridis, Alexis. "'I Don't Want to Die in a Hotel Room Somewhere': Black Sabbath on Reconciling for Their Final Gig – and How Ozzy Is Living through Hell." The Guardian, 2 May 2025. The Guardian, Accessed July 25, 2025. "Rocker Ozzy Osbourne Announces Parkinson's Diagnosis." AP News, 21 Jan. 2020, Accessed July 25, 2025. Wrona, Aleksandra. "Did Alexei Navalny Die from COVID-19 Vaccine?" Snopes, 21 Feb. 2024, Accessed July 25, 2025.
