WHAT: Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on reversing the course of the addiction crisis in America, will host an event on Saturday, November 4. During this event, the Los Angeles community will come together, and support families, friends, neighbors and colleagues impacted by the disease of addiction. More than 46 million Americans ages 12 and older identify as having a substance use disorder (SUD) in the U.S. Data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that in 2021, there were 6,843 opioid-related overdose deaths in California, and 5,722 of those deaths were related to fentanyl. In Los Angeles alone, nearly 900,000 people ages 12 and older identify as having a SUD. The Shatterproof Walk gives the community the opportunity to bring the disease of addiction into the light and share inspiring stories of hope and recovery. Participants will unite to engage in several activities geared toward ending the stigma associated with SUDs, including a community walk. 

Other highlights include: 

• The Shatterproof Community Resource Village will showcase substance use
        disorder resources from local organizations.
• Participants will be able to select a bracelet that speaks to them personally to
        represent why they are participating in the Shatterproof Walk — whether it be in
        memorial of a loved one, for themselves in recovery, or to show their support to
        those who have SUDs.
• An opening ceremony will profile local walkers touched by addiction and
        recognize top teams, fundraisers and leading event sponsors.

Funds raised from the walk support Shatterproof’s work in advocating for changes in federal and state policy as well as programming focused on saving lives and changing the conversation about addiction. 

For more information or to register for the Shatterproof Walk event, visit:

https://shatterproofwalk.org/la

To participate in a Virtual Walk Your Way, visit https://shatterproofwalk.org

WHO:                             

Shatterproof executives:

Kirsten Suto Seckler, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Lisa Kugler, Senior Vice President of Shatterproof Treatment Atlas  

Speaker:

Dr. Gary Tsai, MD
Bureau Director
Substance Abuse Prevention and Council

Emcees:

Andy and Lana Slavitt, Lemonada Media

Influencers:

Robin Bigelow, Influencer who lost her fiancé due to a substance use disorder
Juan Acosta, Mental Health + LGBTQ+ Activist, Content Creator, and Public Speaker

Ambassadors:
Marni Rosenzweig
 

*Available for interviews 

WHEN:                           

Saturday, November 4, 2023 

8:00 a.m. Site opens 

9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony begins 

9:30 a.m. Walk begins 

11:00 a.m. Walk ends

  

WHERE:

Grand Park
145 N. Broadway

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Shatterproof extends sincere thanks to the sponsors of the Shatterproof Walk:

Signature Sponsor: AllMed, Braeburn, CHUBB, County of Los Angeles Public Health,

ICG Advisors, JP Morgan Chase & Co, and SoundCloud

Gold Sponsor: Captivate and HEI Hotels + Resorts

Bronze Sponsor: Gallagher and RBC Clearing & Custody
Media Sponsor: Lemonada Media

CONTACT:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Shatterproof

press@shatterproof.org