Rapid City man walks for 24 hours to raise awareness, funds to prevent veteran suicide

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - South Dakota ranked eighth in suicide rates in 2022, and among veterans, that rate is often higher. Mission 22 is an organization supporting veterans struggling with PTSD and their families.

To raise awareness and funds for the issue, Chris Cooper - leader of Mission 22′s Rapid City chapter, came up with a unique plan.

Each year, Cooper walks around the track at South Dakota Mines’ Hardrocker Stadium for 24 hours straight. Cooper invites anyone interested in participating to join him for a few laps, and he typically sees hundreds of people walk alongside him for the cause. Cooper walked for the fourth time this weekend, beginning Saturday at eight in the morning. Cooper said he has received positive feedback from participants, some of which struggle with suicidal thoughts themselves.

“They said before they walked, they were struggling a lot,” Cooper said. “It changed their mindset and eventually they stopped thinking about ending their lives.”

Cooper also said if his walk inspires just one person to refrain from committing suicide, it will be worth it.

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