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January Newsletter
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JANUARY 2017

ISSUE 20

Dear Friends of the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation,

It’s the beginning of the new year and we couldn't be more excited to share the progress we've made since our last update. Over the past year, we have made incredible strides in our efforts to prevent overdose deaths, educate healthcare professionals on responsible opioid prescribing and advocate for both smarter legislation and awareness of the dilemma of chronic pain and the disease of addiction.

We established new partnerships with wonderful and impactful organizations across the nation and rallied additional support from volunteers, advocates, donors, and new staff and board members. In 2016 we trained 1,350 individuals on how to reverse an opioid overdose. Each person trained echoes a life saved, the opportunity for recovery, and a thankful family. We underwrote 14 hours of continuing education for medical professionals and we advocated for new legislation, innovations in treatment and awareness of the issue.
 

Kit #2501 Saved My Daughter's Life

The first responders began to arrive. They took over CPR and administered naloxone at least twice more. The CPR continued for quite some time.   I overheard a first responder say to another just arriving that we have a “female DOA”…

Support our New Legislation

Here in Minnesota we are doing our best to lead the nation in creating solutions to end this epidemic. We are introducing new legislation that will improve the lives for individuals and families that have been affected by this epidemic.

Three Doses Per Kit

Because of the sharp increases in overdose deaths related to illegal fentanyl and the stories we have personally heard from many individuals, we will now be including three doses of naloxone in every overdose prevention kit.

The  30k Match Campaign

We are delighted to announce that we met our goal during our end of the year match campaign! Last year, a generous donor pledged to match all donations made to the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation up to $30 thousand for all the work we do to prevent opioid overdoses, educate prescribers and advocate for change. Your help contributed directly to supporting our programs. Thank you!

TOUCHED BY

An ongoing series – Stories of people touched by the pain of a family member’s addiction
It feels impossible, but this is our story. Our beautiful son Luke’s story. I share it in the hope that it doesn’t become your story, because we are losing too many beautiful souls to the opioid epidemic. We can change the outcome for others if we work together. Three months before Luke died he reached out to friends on Facebook: “Addiction is no joke people. If you or a loved one have this disease, it’s okay to reach out before it’s too late.” I know Luke would want others to learn from our tragedy.
 
Donate
Share Your Story

2017 Annual Night of Music

Our 5th Annual Night of Music was the greatest Night of Music yet! We blew past our goal and raised an incredible $13,470! We are so grateful for all of your support!

We had the most amazing surprise that night. An anonymous donor pledged to match dollar for dollar up to $5000 raised that evening. As soon as we were notified we announced the matching gift to the crowd and the donations flooded in. We ended up raising $8,470 before the end of the night!

We'd like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers, board members, staff and the amazing bands, Medium RusticThe Gooneybirds and Frogleg, for donating their time, talent and kind hearts to the Night of Music. Your gift of music really is what made the event such a success. We can’t thank you enough!

Welcome Our New Staff!

The Steve Rummler Hope Foundation is delighted to introduce our newest employees.

John Sykes

As the Overdose Prevention Program Manager. John will oversee the Foundation’s mission to provide naloxone education and training to varied organizations. He will also manage the distribution and organization of naloxone kits. John is humbled by and focused on the ultimate purpose of his work – to save the lives of people affected by the disease of addiction.
 John has been an active member of the Twin Cities recovery community, both professionally and personally for several years.
 

Kady Hamilton

Kady is currently attending Minneapolis Community and Technical College and is in the internship portion of her Human Services Associates Degree. During Kady's internship, she will be assisting staff within the overdose prevention and advocacy programs at the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation. Each week she works closely with our board member, Randy Anderson, to learn about drug counseling methods and substance use disorders. Kady brings a dynamic determination, a sympathetic heart, and an eagerness for change. 

Founder of the Foundation Invited to Presidential Signing

Judy Rummler, Founder of the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation, was invited to the signing of the 21st Century Cures Act by President Barack Obama. Among funding for medical innovations and research, the $6.3 billion bill includes $1 billion to be allocated towards the treatment and prevention of opioid dependence and overdose, the epidemic that the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation works to eradicate in Minnesota communities and beyond.

National Rx Takeback Day

We contacted the public affairs office at the DEA regarding the results of the October 22, 2016 campaign. View the results...
 
Mark your calendars, the next Prescription Take Back Day is planned for April 29, 2017.

VOLUNTEER CORNER


On Wednesday, November 9, two of our newest volunteers, Stephanie and Kelsey, tabled on behalf of the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation at Blaine Highschool for the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Series, a  series of events from now until late spring 2017 which offers opportunities for parents and guardians to make connections with staff and community resources, provide information, and offer steps to protect students from drug and alcohol abuse. We Would like to send a special thanks to both Stephanie and Kelsey for their time. Both are currently nursing students at Bemidji State University and are working towards additional certifications with emphases in public health. Their research has shown a need for the programs offered to the community by the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation.
I'm Interested in Volunteering

FEB. 2

My Doctor Prescribed Me Pain Meds but Couldn't Help Me Get Off Them
Executive Director, Lexi Reed Holtum, Meets with WCCO to Discuss Opioid Epidemic
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is an easy way to make donations to the Foundation without having to do anything you aren’t already doing. If you log into Amazon under our Amazon Smile account, .5% of your purchase will go to the Foundation. An easy way to support a great cause! 
Click here to start Amazon Smile

An Opportunity for your local Rotary Club
Do you know someone who is a member of your local rotary club? Please direct them to www.SteveRummlerHopeFoundation.org/video to learn about an opportunity to educate others on our nation’s epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths.  This video was funded by several Rotary clubs and Rotary International District 5950

Support Groups available in Minneapolis
Courageous Caregivers offers group coaching support for family and friends of those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. A Different Kind of Grief provides group coaching support for those who have a loved one who has died from addiction. For more information, see www.recoveringu.com/events
Copyright © 2017 Steve Rummler HOPE Network, All rights reserved.


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