Excerpted from Mr. Stickman’s website. In 2012, Vernon Stickman organizing a Suicide Awareness and Healthy Living Run.

Hi, My name is Vernon Stickman Sr. I am Koyukon Athabascan Native man from Tanana, Alaska. Which is located on the Yukon and Tanana River in the Interior of Alaska. I am 5’6” and 140 pounds and have been running ever since I graduated from high school in 1976 from Galena High School at Galena, Alaska. I am 54 years old strong and healthy. Starting from around the middle of February 2012, I plan on doing an ultra run from my home down West on the frozen Yukon river for about 300 miles.

I am doing this for Suicide Awareness, and healthy living choices. In the past 20 years or so I’ve lost around a dozen relatives to suicide. The most recent and hardest one was when I had to bury my nephew in Galena of last year April 2010, then my youngest son, who was 22 years old in September, followed by my mother from a broken heart. The only thing that got me through this tragedy was my faith in God, my loving wife,and my oldest son Brandon, and my running. I wasn’t able to do much of anything else for about 7 months. Then shortly after that the idea of having a run came to me. I can do this. As I am unemployed and have time to plan this Great event.

I Vernon would like to ask for your full support and sponsorship to carry the message to all the villages on the Yukon River. Any amount of funds would be greatly appreciated. I would need good warm running gear cause around the time I’ am choosing to run it may get down to -45 below or colder and this time I have No long distance running winter gear. I believe that with your help and my message we can reach many people, who suffer from depression and can ask for help. I will keep a list of sponsors with me at all times to share with each community. Thank you very much and May God Bless you for your support. If you have any questions please feel free to call.

Sincerely,
Vernon Stickman Sr. (907) 366-7253