Don't be sorry. Be Silly.
Donation protected
"Don't Be Sorry. Be Silly." This was Sam's tattoo on his arm.
Sam Pyle, my best friend, is no longer with us. Sam left this earth but will live forever in our memories and in the lives of those that he saved.
Sam took his own life during his struggle to cope with depression and drug addiction. Sam was battling Xanax (benzodiazepine) withdrawal.
Sam was the most loving person I have ever known. He was the kindest soul. Sam never had any money. If he had $10 to his name, he would often give it to a homeless person and go without lunch. Several times, Sam would literally give the shirt or jacket off his back.
Sam cared so much for other people, and yet, he couldn't really love himself.
Sam donated his body to science and his organs have been transplanted to five different recipients. Five (5) people will have a new lease on life, including a pediatric patient who received his 1/2 his kidneys and pancreas. His heart was too big and strong for a child and now beats in an adult.
But Sam saved even more lives than these six people during his 18 years.
Sam and his sister Ani saved my life 14 years ago when I was personally struggling with Xanax (benzodiazepine) withdrawal. His father, my best friend, could see the pain that I was in.
Where doctors, psychologists, and even my own brain had failed me, my best friend Jason Pyle (Sam's dad) and Dr. Lisa Williams (Sam's mom) prescribed the best medicine possible. They had me spend time with their beautiful kids.
Sam was not even 3 years old at the time and through his loving eyes, hugs, and very affectionate personality, I was able to slowly regain my confidence and my desire to keep living.
I loved every opportunity to babysit Sam. He loved me and that fact gave me the strength to persevere through my 2-3 years recovery from Xanax. Over the next 10 years, I watched him grow--from a baby to a boy to a young adult. He loved rugby, football, snow skiing, and most sports.
As a coach in the rugby club, I watched Sam lead as a team player, always encouraging his mates and leading by example. He always gave his all until the last whistle and always cheered on his mates when he was not on the field.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit more about this wonderful human.
What I would give to have been able to help save my best friend as he did me. What I would give to bring him back. But that’s not going to happen and life is just unfair that way.
I am writing this Go Fund Me page in the hopes that we, as a community, can remove the burden of the funeral and final expenses from his parents.
And on a larger scale, try and help other kids just like Sam, who want a way out of Xanax but are also struggling with hopelessness and despair, and thoughts of committing suicide, by supporting organizations such as Aspen Hope Center.
It is the most difficult thing to want to live when you’re dealing with physical, emotional, and psychological pain every second of your life.
But as important as helping them get through the Xanax withdrawal stage is to provide support afterwards to avoid relapse.
When someone takes Xanax or similar drugs, it’s hardly “for fun”. Most of the time, it’s to escape whatever pain they’re already going through in life. This was certainly the case for me, and most certainly the case for Sam.
Any additional funds above the actual expenses will be donated to Aspen Hope Center. Sam's Aunt Qwen will be in charge of final expenses and seeing that additional funds go to Aspen Hope Center (http://ourhopecenter.org/).
The following articles provide information on Xanax, its abuse, and treatment:
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/xanax-treatment
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/xanax
My name is Jeff Haskin. Let's please band together and see what good things can come from this tragedy.
(edited for accuracy 8-27-2020)
Sam Pyle, my best friend, is no longer with us. Sam left this earth but will live forever in our memories and in the lives of those that he saved.
Sam took his own life during his struggle to cope with depression and drug addiction. Sam was battling Xanax (benzodiazepine) withdrawal.
Sam was the most loving person I have ever known. He was the kindest soul. Sam never had any money. If he had $10 to his name, he would often give it to a homeless person and go without lunch. Several times, Sam would literally give the shirt or jacket off his back.
Sam cared so much for other people, and yet, he couldn't really love himself.
Sam donated his body to science and his organs have been transplanted to five different recipients. Five (5) people will have a new lease on life, including a pediatric patient who received his 1/2 his kidneys and pancreas. His heart was too big and strong for a child and now beats in an adult.
But Sam saved even more lives than these six people during his 18 years.
Sam and his sister Ani saved my life 14 years ago when I was personally struggling with Xanax (benzodiazepine) withdrawal. His father, my best friend, could see the pain that I was in.
Where doctors, psychologists, and even my own brain had failed me, my best friend Jason Pyle (Sam's dad) and Dr. Lisa Williams (Sam's mom) prescribed the best medicine possible. They had me spend time with their beautiful kids.
Sam was not even 3 years old at the time and through his loving eyes, hugs, and very affectionate personality, I was able to slowly regain my confidence and my desire to keep living.
I loved every opportunity to babysit Sam. He loved me and that fact gave me the strength to persevere through my 2-3 years recovery from Xanax. Over the next 10 years, I watched him grow--from a baby to a boy to a young adult. He loved rugby, football, snow skiing, and most sports.
As a coach in the rugby club, I watched Sam lead as a team player, always encouraging his mates and leading by example. He always gave his all until the last whistle and always cheered on his mates when he was not on the field.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit more about this wonderful human.
What I would give to have been able to help save my best friend as he did me. What I would give to bring him back. But that’s not going to happen and life is just unfair that way.
I am writing this Go Fund Me page in the hopes that we, as a community, can remove the burden of the funeral and final expenses from his parents.
And on a larger scale, try and help other kids just like Sam, who want a way out of Xanax but are also struggling with hopelessness and despair, and thoughts of committing suicide, by supporting organizations such as Aspen Hope Center.
It is the most difficult thing to want to live when you’re dealing with physical, emotional, and psychological pain every second of your life.
But as important as helping them get through the Xanax withdrawal stage is to provide support afterwards to avoid relapse.
When someone takes Xanax or similar drugs, it’s hardly “for fun”. Most of the time, it’s to escape whatever pain they’re already going through in life. This was certainly the case for me, and most certainly the case for Sam.
Any additional funds above the actual expenses will be donated to Aspen Hope Center. Sam's Aunt Qwen will be in charge of final expenses and seeing that additional funds go to Aspen Hope Center (http://ourhopecenter.org/).
The following articles provide information on Xanax, its abuse, and treatment:
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/xanax-treatment
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/xanax
My name is Jeff Haskin. Let's please band together and see what good things can come from this tragedy.
(edited for accuracy 8-27-2020)
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeffrey Haskin
Organizer
Louisville, CO
Jason Pyle
Beneficiary