On November 16, 2018, my brother Marc died of a heroin overdose. This year marks seven years without him — seven years of missing his humor, his quirks, and the way he lit up every room he entered.

For a long time, I didn’t speak about Marc’s struggles beyond our family. But when he died, I realized that if I didn’t tell his story, others would — and they would focus only on how he died, not how he lived. That moment was the start of my advocacy journey, and it’s why I continue to fight for compassion, education, and harm reduction today.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to honor those we’ve lost and fight for those still here. I’m raising funds to support Mobilize Recovery, where I now serve as Day of Service Liaison, to expand education, resources, and community-driven solutions that save lives.

Your gift will help turn grief into action — and haunting into healing. Every dollar raised helps us build a world where people who use drugs are met with love, support, and access to the care they deserve.

I miss Marc every single day. But with your help, his legacy can continue through the work we do together.

💜 Please consider donating today in memory of Marc and in honor of all the lives we’ve lost.

👉 You can also read my full story here: “Turning Haunting Into Healing”