Sara and I are riding the courage classic in honor of our cousin/niece Nikki Zell who lost her fight with depression March 31, this year. We ride to raise awareness of the need for adequate and timely mental health care and suicide prevention for children and teens.
Nikki was a wonderful human, she was smart, funny, kind, creative, giving and passionate. She was a straight A student, took 4 years of German, was an officer in the German Club and even went to stay with an exchange family in Germany. She was in Tri-M musical honor society, she got to go sing in Disney World twice with choir. She rocked at winter guard for two seasons and was a delight to watch. She loved to create whether she was painting, sewing, making bracelets, necklaces, earrings, flower drying and much more. She enjoyed running and completed multiple half marathons, 10ks, and 5ks. She loved to read and often had 4 or more books going at a time.
She struggled with depression seeing therapists, prescribed medication and yet in a deep dark moment depression won and she took her own life. She will be forever missed and we want to raise awareness and raise money for Children's Hospital Colorado to help other children and teens with their mental health.
Children's Hospital Colorado provides a full range of pediatric mental health services, ranging from crisis stabilization to ongoing outpatient therapy. The hospital offers care through specialized programs, including inpatient care, partial hospitalization, and specialized clinics for specific conditions like eating disorders, OCD, and autism.
Please help us raise awareness and donations for the Children’s Hospital Colorado 2026 Courage Classic. Thank you for your support!
