The Impact of LAX2LIVE is for kids like Brian

This spring, we were honored to be notified by the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance that our LAX2LIVE program was being awarded the Bob Casey Courage Award. It was humbling to be acknowledged for the work we do. We do it for the student athletes who need to know it’s okay to ask for help. And we do it for Brian.

A few weeks ago, the Patriots Foundation awarded us $25,000 for the work LAX2LIVE does and I am still at a loss for words. I am overwhelmed by the support of our community here in Connecticut and now of national organizations. This award money will be used to expand the LAX2LIVE program and reach more athletes.

I come back to the words I shared with the Patriots Foundation:

“Brian was always there for others,” said Ann. “Now, with the volunteer work I’ve done and continue to do, I’m carrying on his love for family, friends and community, sharing him with the world. Honestly, this award is for him. He is the reason why I educate and advocate for mental health and suicide awareness. This subject needs to come out of the darkness and into the light and normalize the conversation. It wasn’t talked about back then. Maybe if it was, my life would be very different. The volunteer work with the Brian Dagle Foundation, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the CT Suicide Advisory Board have given me precious gifts as well as a powerful sense of meaning and purpose that I never thought was possible again.” 

We are honored to be recognized for the message of the LAX2LIVE program. This year we reached over 1,000 athletes, coaches and families. It’s a simple but important message. It gives them permission to talk about mental health and suicide. It lets these kids know that it’s ok sometimes not to be ok. This recognition inspires us to continue the message.