The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is proud to have Georgia Lenas run the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon as a Partner for Hope on Sunday, November 4. She will run in honor of her cousin, Michael Lenas, who passed away after a long, hard-fought battle with an opioid addiction – at the young age of 32 – last November.
A St. Petersburg, Florida resident and senior at the University of Florida, Georgia is inspired to run on behalf of the Partnership to help prevent other families from going through the pain of losing a loved one to an addiction.
“Drug addiction does not discriminate. It affects people of all ages from all walks of life. It not only affects the person who is addicted, but everyone in his or her life. My family fought long and hard alongside my cousin Michael, and we want to do our part to help other families facing similar circumstances. My cousin was genuine and kind, hilarious and handsome, loving and incredible. He was loved by so many, and his memory lives on in our hearts every day.”
She continues, “I want to help families just like my own find the support and resources they need during these difficult times.”
The Partnership was chosen as a 2018 TCS New York City Marathon official charity partner. Fourteen runners comprise our Partners for Hope Team – a volunteer group of marathoners who are racing on behalf of the families we serve, many who have a personal connection to our mission. The Partners for Hope Team will run to help raise awareness about our cause and critical funds that will help us create new resources and expand our evidence-based and customized services for families.
More About The Partners for Hope Team
Every dollar raised on behalf of the Partnership by Partners for Hope Team will ensure that we can continue to provide free, family support resources, including our Parent Helpline, one-to-one Parent Coaches, online tools and community education programs, to reach those who need them most.
Help make their collective efforts a success by supporting a Partners for Hope Team member, or by donating your time on race day with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids volunteer team. To learn how you can participate as a volunteer, please email mailto:fundraising@drugfree.org.
Good luck to Georgia and the other Partners for Hope!