Run Against Addiction raises funding for rehab
Published 2:52 pm Tuesday, September 6, 2016
1 of 7
By KERRY STEINHOFER
kerry.steinhofer@amnews.com
The local addiction support group Families Into Getting Help Together (FIGHT) hosted a “Run Against Addiction” 5K on Saturday to help raise awareness of the drug epidemic in Boyle County, as well as raise funds for Boyle County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP) to send individuals to treatment and rehab centers.
“Any time we create an event, we are also creating an amazing experience for individuals,” Ward said. “We are showing our dedication, we are showing our compassion. We’re all in this together. The more events we have, the more people we have come out, the more education and awareness we are giving to these people.”
More than 100 people participated in the walk/run and there were numerous vendors who sponsored the event. Information about treatment options and other resources was made available. A silent auction was also held with donated items from local businesses, and all proceeds from the event went directly to ASAP.
One of the local vendors at the event was Family Medical Centers, which in Danville operates as Women’s Care of the Commonwealth. Anita Coffey was representing FMC and said she was simply there to help raise awareness.
“I have a personal and professional investment,” Coffey said while explaining how she lost someone she was mentoring to a drug overdose.
She said she would like to see more events in the community like this one and more resources for those in the community.
“We had four weeks to do this,” event coordinator Sarah Cheatham said. “I could never have done this if it wasn’t for these amazing people.”
The 5K was an event in honor of Alylisa Caudill’s sister, Jenna Caudill, who died in February of a drug overdose. Caudill contacted Cheatham about wanting to do a 5K in the community as a way of honoring not only her sister but others in the community who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses.
“I wanted to have this event because I know there are people who need help, and as a community, we need to come together and we need to stop this,” Caudill said.
As a surprise to Caudill and her family, there was a yoga group from Berea Bodywork who came and performed a routine as a tribute to Jenna.
Caudill described the day as being very emotional, but she felt blessed. “I know that something great is going to come out of this,” Caudill said. “I’m so happy with how this turned out and for Sarah’s help.”
