After her son, Nate, lost his life to the toxic drug supply, mom Tiffany Daniel shifted her grief to keep his memory alive.
With the help of close friends, the Nate D Foundation was quickly formed.
鈥淲e came up with the idea to start a foundation and raise funds and awareness to support individuals and families dealing with mental health and addiction,鈥� Daniel explained.
Since then, the foundation has sponsored six people to attend trauma therapy in Thailand and several others to attend counselling locally.
Nate had been gifted a bed in a trauma therapy treatment centre located in Thailand in 2019, and the life 鈥渞eturned to his eyes鈥� his mom recalled.
鈥淭he trauma therapy approach in Thailand helped Nate learn how to process memories and emotions that were triggers,鈥� she said.
But when lock downs and isolation-related restrictions were placed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nate relapsed and passed away on Jan. 28, 2021.
To support others who are in similar situations, the foundation hosts a slo-pitch baseball tournament and celebrity fundraiser to fund its sponsorships and counselling support.
Baseball was chosen because Nate grew up around the field with his mom.
鈥淲e thought a great way to raise funds to support individuals to attend trauma therapy treatment and do counselling locally would be a ball tournament,鈥� Daniel said.
This year, the tournament raised almost $20,000.
鈥淭hrough our fundraising, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can find the help they need to thrive and survive,鈥� she added.
The two celebrity meet and greet fundraisers held so far included Kirk McLean, Dave Babych, Marco Iannuzzi, Jason Day, Katie Stuart, among many others.
鈥淲e believe that every life is worth fighting for,鈥� Daniel said.
The next fundraiser is a poker tournament in November at the Aldergrove Legion branch.
For more information on the Nate D Foundation, people can visit .
91原创 will likely see 50 people die of deaths from toxic and unregulated drugs this year if current trends continue in the province鈥檚 overdose crisis.
Between January and June this year, 25 people died of the toxic drug supply in 91原创, according to the most recent report by the B.C. Coroners鈥� Service in data released on July 19.
Across B.C., 184 people died in June alone, a rate of 6.1 deaths per day.
In 91原创, 44 people died in 2022, and 58 in 2021, which was 91原创鈥檚 previous worst year.
RELATED: Family mourns brother one year after murder in 91原创 shooting spree
READ ALSO: 25 toxic drug deaths in 91原创 so far this year
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