Jay Walkers gets its name from Jay Gallagher, who lost his life to suicide in 2016 at the age of 18.

​

Jay was a well-rounded young man with a variety of interests. In high school, Jay was a member of the improv comedy group and the Engineering club. He was also a four year member of the Golf team and the Hockey Club. One of his friends remarked, "Jay managed to be a jock and a drama kid and a nerd all at once and he was [darn] good at it!"

Jay wanted to study Engineering in college and was accepted at all his top schools. We know, however, that Jay had his heart set on being a Hokie, so we’re certain he would have joined the VT Class of 2020 in in the fall of 2016.

Jay had so much life to live and so much love to give, yet the stigma of suicide prevented him from asking for the help he knew he needed.

By participating in Jay Walkers, teams will do their part to break down the stigma that stands in the way of people asking for and receiving life-saving help.

Let's join together as Jay Walkers in Jay's memory or in memory of your loved ones and take steps to end suicide.