Ryan's Hope
LAST NOVEMBER, PELICANS forward Ryan Anderson opened up in an SI feature (Nov. 17, 2014) about losing his girlfriend, Gia Allemand, to suicide. Afterward Anderson heard from players, coaches and refs, as well as countless strangers; one reader said Ryan's story had saved him from a very dark place. Last week, after the Pelicans were eliminated by the Warriors in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Anderson flew to New York City to receive the Survivor Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in honor of his courage to speak publicly and for planning to start the Gia Allemand Foundation. On an emotional night at Lincoln Center that raised more than $400,000 for suicide education, research and public policy advocacy, Anderson broke down briefly upon taking the stage, then spoke about his experience and the power of letting someone know, simply: "You are not alone. None of us are alone."
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MARYANNERUSSELL.COM (ANDERSON)