Sept. 21, 2022

Twelve area leaders plan to run relay-style across the state of South Dakota starting Thursday to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.

The 437 Project is named to reflect the 437 miles that will be run through Sunday from Belle Fourche to Sioux Falls by the following team:

• Kristen De Berg, cardiovascular genetic counselor at Sanford Health.
• Lesley Fite-Boltjes, RN at Sanford USD Medical Center.
• Sgt. Ryan Flogstad, Sioux Falls Police Department.
• Wendy Johnson, director of client services at Electric Pulp.
• Greg Koch, owner and founder of 605 Running Co.
• Benson Langat, therapist at Family Service Inc.
• Whitney Lucas Molitor, assistant professor at the University of South Dakota.
• Kelly Marshall, account risk manager at Risk Administration Services.
• Alex Pool, integration manager at theHelpline Center.
• Matt Smith, market president at Dacotah Bank in Sioux Falls.
• Mayor Paul TenHaken of the city of Sioux Falls.
• Allison Weber, relationship manager at Fiserv.

Avera is the presenting sponsor of The 437 Project, which was championed by the Helpline Center.

“We thank The 437 Project for this important awareness effort,” said Dr. Matt Stanley, Avera clinical vice president for behavioral health.

“Avera is asking the public to learn the warning signs of suicide and to help us to save lives through caring and compassionate conversations with loved ones. We have a tremendous new prevention resource in 988. People can call or text anytime to be connected to experts in suicide prevention.”