Rise Up for Ryan: Community Comes Together for Basketball Tournament and Suicide Awareness Walk

The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation proudly hosted its second annual “Rise Up for Ryan” 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Suicide Awareness Walk at Lister Park, bringing the community together for a full day of connection, competition, and compassion.

The event featured male and female divisions ranging from elementary students to adults, playing on four courts from morning until night. Between games, participants and spectators joined a meaningful Suicide Awareness Walk around the park — a reminder that no one should face mental health struggles alone. Walkers wore colored beads representing loved ones lost to suicide and passed hand-painted stones carrying uplifting messages such as “You are not alone” and “Make this world a kinder place.”

Founded by John and Mary O’Shea after the tragic loss of their son Ryan in 2019, the Foundation continues to honor his love of basketball and passion for life by raising awareness about mental health and supporting programs in local schools.

“Basketball was the love of his life,” said John O’Shea. “We do this to bring the community together — to remind people that there are those all around us who suffer, and we need to find and support them.”

Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin joined the morning walk, commending the O’Shea family’s leadership in turning grief into action. “They’ve lit a candle instead of cursing the darkness,” Senator Kaminsky said. “And I know they’re saving people.”

Through this event and other initiatives, the Foundation has committed more than $125,000 this year to mental health education and outreach — including therapy dog programs, mindfulness and yoga classes, and the implementation of the national “Sources of Strength” suicide prevention program at local schools.

The “Rise Up for Ryan” event was a day filled with teamwork, remembrance, and hope — a celebration of Ryan’s legacy and a powerful step toward a more compassionate community.

Read the Herald article about our event.