[LOS ANGELES – JUNE 27, 2018] - Shatterproof, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastation the disease of addiction causes families, continued its national “Rise Up Against Addiction” movement in Los Angeles on June 24th at Grand Park with an inspiring community event. The Rise Up Against Addiction event, which also included a 5K Walk/Run, united over 1,100 people from all over Los Angeles and surrounding communities to bring the disease of addiction into the light. Participants honored lost loved ones, celebrated recovery journeys, connected with families affected by addiction, and shared stories of hope.
“It is inspiring to see the Los Angeles community rally together and foster a sense of strength and support,” said Shatterproof founder and CEO, Gary Mendell. “It is time to end the stigma around this disease.”
Highlights included a Shatterproof Community Village, which showcased substance use disorder resources from over a dozen local organizations; a Memorial Gallery, which featured photos and stories of lost loved ones; and the Celebrate Recovery Area, a space where hundreds of people in recovery celebrated and shared their recovery milestones.
"Remember, there is no person walking the face of the earth who demonstrates more courage, dignity, honesty and integrity on a daily basis than a person in recovery,”said Jena Robinson, event speaker and Shatterproof Ambassador.
Speakers also included Sandy Presant, who gave an emotional speech about losing his son to a drug overdose, and Gary Mendell, Shatterproof Founder and CEO, who spoke about Shatterproof’s mission and the importance of the community coming together to shatter the stigma of addiction. CBS2 and KCAL9 News anchor Jasmine Viel served as the emcee for the event.
National Sponsors included: Alkermes and Pacira – Plan Against Pain (Visionary sponsors); Cigna, Indivior and United Health Group (Signature sponsors); Choice Hotels, Chubb, Dave & Buster’s, Kaleo, Lockton, Mariner Wealth Advisors, Adapt Pharma – Narcan Nasal Spray, Vineyard Vines, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (Supporting sponsors).
Local sponsors included: ICG Advisors (Platinum sponsor); City National Bank, Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, KPMG, Meredith and David Kaplan, PWC, and West Monroe (Silver sponsors); AMI Asset Management, Archer Capital Management, Argentiere Capital, Brightstar, Deloitte, Gallagher, Gemini Rosemont Real Estate, Greenberg Traurig, Hackman Capital Partners, Kayne Anderson, Longo Toyota, Mack Real Estate Group, Maltese Capital Management, Prime Finance, and Raymond James (Bronze sponsors); Archway Fund, CBRE, Cohn Reznick, Dalfen, Net Lease Capital America, La Terra, Mosaic Real Estate, and Waterton (Copper sponsors).
The Los Angeles community raised over $430,000 for the Rise Up Against Addiction 5K Walk/Run event, which will support Shatterproof’s work to transform the nation’s broken addiction treatment system and ensure that every American with a substance use disorder has access to treatment that’s based on proven research.
Upcoming Shatterproof Rise Up Against Addiction 5K Walk/Run Events
Denver
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Great Lawn Park, 101 North Yosemite St.
Denver, CO
Boston
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Franklin Park Playstead Pierpont Rd.
Boston, MA
Chicago
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive
Chicago, IL
New York
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Pier 84 - Hudson River Park, 555 12th Ave
New York, NY
National Capital Area
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Reston Town Center, 1825 Discovery St.
Reston, VA
Atlanta
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Location TBD
Orange County
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Irvine Spectrum
300 Spectrum Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
Dallas
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Continental Bridge Gateway Plaza
Dallas, TX 75212
For more information or to register for one of Shatterproof’s Rise Up Against Addiction events, click here.
About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastation the disease of addiction causes families. Shatterproof works to end the stigma and foster a community of support, providing evidence-based resources to support prevention, treatment and recovery. Shatterproof advocates for changes in policy at the federal and state level and supports the development and implementation of evidence-based solutions for substance use disorders.
About Gary Mendell:
Gary Mendell is the Founder and CEO of Shatterproof. He founded Shatterproof to spare others the tragedy his family suffered with the loss of his son Brian to addiction in 2011. Mr. Mendell is an experienced businessman and CEO who founded HEI Hotels & Resorts and is the former president of Starwood Lodging Trust.
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