I am running the TCS New York City Marathon as a Partner for Hope in honor of my late cousin, Joshua Zinner, who I tragically lost to fentanyl poisoning in March of 2023, when he was just 23 years old. Josh was an incredible person. He welcomed everyone with open arms and brought joy and laughter into the lives of everyone he came into contact with—be they friends, family, or strangers. You can read more about him and his story here. Josh’s deep compassion and genuine lust for life continue to inspire me every day, and I strive to carry his spirit forward in all that I do. 

Losing him changed me forever. I carry that pain with me everyday, but I also hold close to my heart the lessons it left behind: that time is not promised—every breath we take is a gift. And with that gift comes a responsibility: to fulfill your potential to the highest degree, to be relentless in pursuit of your passions, to be great today. At the same time, it also taught me to love deeply, to be kind without reason, and to spread joy radically, because that is the legacy that Josh left behind.
 

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death in Americans under age 50; it kills more people than heart disease, cancer, suicide, and drunk-driving. Please join me in supporting the Partnership to End Addiction’s mission to fight the addiction crisis by providing resources, education, and advocacy for families affected by substance use. By donating, you are not only honoring Josh’s memory, but also helping to prevent other families from experiencing this unimaginable loss.

Thank you for your support,
Lila Pearl