Family of Danville Teen Who Committed Suicide Planning Awareness Benefit

Allison Bayliss's would have turned 16-years-old Feb. 7.

But last May, the 15-year-old Alliy -- as she was known -- left San Ramon Valley High School with her bike, took the BART into the city, rode and locked her bike up near the Golden Gate Bridge, and ultimately jumped.

Authorities never found her body.

Her father David spent his late daughter's birthday at a podium at Danville's Town Hall seeking approval for an Alliy's Hope Foundation benefit walk/run through the city. The goal of the foundation and the event, he said, is to bring awareness to youth depression and suicide.

"Alliy had a several year struggle with depression that led her to commit suicide," he said. "Today is Alliy's birthday. She would be 16. ... With this (event), we want to bring awareness to youth depression and support to our community."

Alliy's suicide affected the whole community, Bayliss said, but the community strengthened the family in the days, weeks, and months following her suicide. He said this is a way to give back to that community and put a spotlight on youth depression.

According to National Center for Health Statistics:

• Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old.

The event he discussed with council would take place Aug. 12, on an early Sunday morning, if approved. It would be a mile walk/run that would close down Hartz Avenue from San Ramon Valley High School to Hartz Way and also the northbound lane of Railroad Avenue.

The members of the Town Council expressed sympathy for the Bayliss family. It also expressed concerns with the nuts and bolts of the current plan. Various members of council raised issues with the plan's street closures, the affect the benefit might have on downtown businesses, and that it is too close to another street closure for the Danville Thursday Night Street Festival on Aug. 9.

"I'm aware of the town's policies on new events. We're a non-profit, not a for profit, and it's not just another event," Bayliss said. "It will truly benefit our community."

He added that 96 percent of the businesses along the route would be closed during the event and those that are open, he said, would stand to benefit from attendees as these businesses are food and beverage service establishments.

"I absolutely have no idea and cannot imagine what you and your family have gone through," Councilman Robert Storer said. "You've taken a negative situation and turned it into a positive."

He asked Bayliss if he thought about having the event on Iron Horse Trail to avoid street closure. Bayliss said that though Iron Horse Trail is an option, the level of awareness wouldn't be the same. "We could do a mile on Iron Horse Trail but we want to bring the maximum amount of awareness," Bayliss said.

Council didn't vote on anything last Tuesday and requested that Bayliss continue to speak with staff to discuss options that would satisfy all parties.

"Let' see what we can do with staff, looking at the dual street closures, looking at alternative routes," Danville Mayor Candace Andersen said. "Ideally, we'd love to see this event without a street closure and avoid a very minimal impart on the community."

Though the city raised these particular concerns, each member of council expressed their desire to work with Bayliss and make the event happen.

"I and my wife will help you anyway we can," Councilman Mike Doyle, said.

Stick with Danville Patch as we continue to report about this story.