Help Phil's Help
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In October of 2009 I lost my brother to overdose. It was one of the worst days of my life and left a scar on my heart that will never go away. I felt so powerless and hopeless, I felt angry and heartbroken. I just kept thinking "what could I have done?" I tried to help him get into a program for addiction just a week or two before he passed away, but things didn't work out.
My brother had a problem with substances for a long time, but everyone always assumed he knew his limits. This is a common misconception held by both drug users and their loved ones, a misconception that can cost someone their life. My brother died of an overdose of oxycodone and nothing I can do will bring him back. But maybe, with some help from you, I can teach others about the opiate crisis going on in the US today and help some people find a path to recovery.
I am starting a non-profit called Phil's Help. The mission statement is: "Phil’s Help educates parents, students, and professionals about the prescription opiate epidemic and connects those in need with addiction recovery services."
I have a master's degree in Public Health and experience as a college professor. I have the qualifications to educate people, both concerned individuals as well as professionals seeking continuing education credits, on how opiate addiction works and how we can help those who suffer from this addiction.
I have started a website (still in construction www.philshelp.org) and I'm working with a lawyer to get non-profit status. These things all cost money, which has come out of my pocket up until now. But to go any farther, I need help. I know so many of you knew Phil and what a great guy he was, knew that if he could have just gotten some help things would be so different.
The CDC has officially declared this issue an epidemic, on the same lines as Zika Virus. Something must be done! With your donation, I can start educating and helping people here in Louisiana. And who knows, in the future, Phil's Help might be helping people across the country.
The money I am asking for will go towards paying for non-profit status, lawyer's fees, finishing and maintaining the website, upkeeping an official email address for the organization ([email redacted]), and paying for "verified certification" for a free course put on by Harvard on this crisis (see http://online-learning.harvard.edu/course/opioid-crisis-america for more information). I have added up these costs and my goal reflects the minimum to make my dream happen. Please help me combat this awful disease, in my brother's memory. Phil would have helped others if he could, he tried to help everyone he knew. I will help people in his name.
My brother had a problem with substances for a long time, but everyone always assumed he knew his limits. This is a common misconception held by both drug users and their loved ones, a misconception that can cost someone their life. My brother died of an overdose of oxycodone and nothing I can do will bring him back. But maybe, with some help from you, I can teach others about the opiate crisis going on in the US today and help some people find a path to recovery.
I am starting a non-profit called Phil's Help. The mission statement is: "Phil’s Help educates parents, students, and professionals about the prescription opiate epidemic and connects those in need with addiction recovery services."
I have a master's degree in Public Health and experience as a college professor. I have the qualifications to educate people, both concerned individuals as well as professionals seeking continuing education credits, on how opiate addiction works and how we can help those who suffer from this addiction.
I have started a website (still in construction www.philshelp.org) and I'm working with a lawyer to get non-profit status. These things all cost money, which has come out of my pocket up until now. But to go any farther, I need help. I know so many of you knew Phil and what a great guy he was, knew that if he could have just gotten some help things would be so different.
The CDC has officially declared this issue an epidemic, on the same lines as Zika Virus. Something must be done! With your donation, I can start educating and helping people here in Louisiana. And who knows, in the future, Phil's Help might be helping people across the country.
The money I am asking for will go towards paying for non-profit status, lawyer's fees, finishing and maintaining the website, upkeeping an official email address for the organization ([email redacted]), and paying for "verified certification" for a free course put on by Harvard on this crisis (see http://online-learning.harvard.edu/course/opioid-crisis-america for more information). I have added up these costs and my goal reflects the minimum to make my dream happen. Please help me combat this awful disease, in my brother's memory. Phil would have helped others if he could, he tried to help everyone he knew. I will help people in his name.
Organizer
Carrie Pizzalato
Organizer
Metairie, LA
