Your donations have, and will continue to help individuals suffering from SUD,
reach their goals
By supporting Zac43Foundation, you can help reduce the heartbreak and devastation that the chronic disease of addiction is causing our families, our friends, our communities, and our country.
Your generous donations are being used to support individuals and their families, struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
The chronic disease of opioid addiction took our son Zac. Stigma was a huge barrier for him. Through education, Zac43Foundation is committed to help end the stigma of addiction. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease. Those struggling with substance use disorder should not have to feel ashamed of their disease. Individuals and their families are suffering enough.
Let's bury the stigma,
not our loved ones.
Your donations enable Zac43foundation to help make significant changes in the lives of individuals and families suffering from the effects of Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
Joel's Letter to Zac43 Donors, "You saved my life."
To everyone that has generously donated to the Zac43Foundation, and those who may be considering a donation.
I have been stressing about writing this since the moment Zac’s mom, Jennifer, asked me if I would write a letter explaining how donations to Zac43Foundation have changed my life. I want so badly for this letter to be perfect and to convey exactly how much gratitude I have for Jennifer and and for the Zac43Foundation. There are not enough words to express how much I appreciate the work that the Burton family has done.
I met Zac when he moved into the Sober Living House I was living in. I remember immediately gravitating towards him because he was caring, funny, loveable, and a very genuine person. I am blessed to have been able to meet him, get to know him and call him my friend. He truly did not deserve to leave this earth and those who loved him.
Through these unfortunate circumstances, I met Jennifer. When we met a little more than a year ago, it was only about 3 weeks after their son Zac had died. I was in the most depressed state I’ve ever been in. I had just been forced to move back into my parent’s house, I had just lost my dear friend Zac to this disease, and I was entirely consumed by my addiction.
Jennifer and I spoke almost every day, and I felt I could be honest with her and open my heart to her. At that point, I honestly had very little to look forward to, but I knew I had Jennifer in my corner. In the year that she and I have known each other, I have made great improvements in my sobriety, as well as in growing into a fully functional adult human being.
Fast-forward to today, I can very honestly say that I could never have imagined my life turning out as perfectly as it has. On October 13, 2018, I celebrated my one year sobriety birthdate, the most time in recovery I have ever had! I am enrolled in college full-time, and working as a full-time shift manager at Starbucks. I am enjoying working hard and living life with a clear mind.
None of this would be possible without the help and financial support I have received from Zac43Foundation.
I can honestly say you saved my life. Thank you all for your generosity and for caring.
Very Sincerely,
Joel