During her ride across Canada, Clara Hughes proved that one person’s vision can make a massive impact with the right support.
Clara Hughes is a legendary six-time Olympic medalist, who even still has battled with depression. She believes that talking is the most powerful way to help those who struggle with mental illness. The stigma surrounding depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses is crippling to those who need help for themselves or loved ones, but are too afraid to reach out. During her 12,000km cycle across Canada, she sparked millions of conversations about mental health on and offline, breaking down the stigma with her voice and cycling talent.
“We are so encouraged and inspired by all of the brave people sharing their stories with us about their own battles with mental illness. Together, we’re making a massive impact by talking and posting to social media. We can’t thank you enough for your support!” said Clara Hughes.
Bell’s “Let’s Talk” multi-year charitable program is helping Clara achieve her goal for a stigma-free Canada by sponsoring her ride. Bell has contributed over $62 million to mental health initiates like Clara’s Big Ride in hopes of amplifying the conversations and awareness inspired by these organizations and individuals.
“Clara is incredible at bringing people together. Her thousands of supporters believe in her message, and so do we. Like her, we’re offering our network and our influence in hopes of creating country that accepts and supports those struggling with mental illness,” said Tyrone Lingley, Marketing and Communications Manager for Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk.
But you don’t have to be a gold medalist or a massive enterprise to contribute. Social media empowers us all with a voice to join Clara. The Tradable Bits platform is how Clara’s social media team is collecting and showcasing the hundreds of stories created every day by those who believe in her cause. The custom built Clara’s Big Ride website is a real-time spotlight for the memories, encouragements and congratulations shared by those who have been impacted by her ride and her message.
“We really believe in Clara’s vision and it’s our honour to connect her with the thousands of supporters she has on social media. There’s strength in numbers, and we’re uniting the conversations by bringing all of that support into one place,” said Darshan Kaler, CEO of Tradable Bits and proud sponsor of Clara’s Big Ride.
Clara’s Big Ride received an overwhelming amount of support on social media. Clara’s social media team used the Tradable Bits app for HootSuite to manage mass of messages and craft them into a cohesive conversation about mental illness. The app allowed her team to easily browse the stories being shared in real time and highlight the best posts on the Clara’s Big Ride Stream.
Clara’s Big Ride is so much more than one incredible woman using her athletic talent to make a difference. Her passion has inspired the support of millions - from everyone posting on social media to some of the largest companies in Canada. The voices of her supporters are a united demand for a stigma-free Canada, thanks to the help of innovative technologies and her dedicated social media team. Clara and her cause proved that with the right support, one idea can make a lasting, global impact.
We bring the technology, you bring the ideas. What will you start?
