What I want this campaign to be about is changing lives for the
better.
[1]
John,
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays and a special
time to reflect and share gratitude.
Giving thanks is, admittedly, not something that I have not always
done or done well. But I have learned over time how important it is to
tell the people in our lives what we appreciate about them.
Life is short, and there isn’t any time to waste being shy, proud,
or timid—go give your loved ones some love, show appreciation to
everyone you may meet, and allow yourself to be grateful for, and
humbled by, the good things in your life.
I have recently shared with you and thousands others some very
personal details about my story: what it was like growing up in rural
Appalachian Ohio, joining the Navy and returning to see our small
towns decimated and fading, and the human cost of the opioid epidemic.
(In case you missed my prior email in which I told my own family story
of my sister’s fight against addiction, you can find it directly
below this message.)
And I wanted to take a moment to thank you for engaging with the
messages, the stories, and the requests for support that me and my
team are sending to you. It means a lot to me personally and as a
Democrat running for office to know that there are countless
supporters from across the country I can stand alongside.
So, thank you, and I hope that you have a memorable and enjoyable
Thanksgiving holiday.
In Gratitude,
_Jerrad Christian _
DONATE [2]
–Begin Forwarded Message–
[1]
John,
The opioid epidemic has decimated thousands of families across
Appalachian Ohio, where our campaign is based, and millions of people
across the nation. My own family is no exception: MY SISTER MORGAN
BATTLED THROUGH THE DARKNESS OF HEROIN ADDICTION, which saw her life
hanging in the balance not once, but twice because of overdose. Hers
is a harrowing tale of resilience and strength.
Because we lived in separate households growing up, Morgan and I would
bond during holidays and special occasions; we connected almost
immediately, but didn't really become close until she was in her early
20s. Around that time, we started to talk more and found out we had a
lot in common. This was when we really started to understand and care
for each other more, becoming good friends who shared their thoughts
and feelings and helped each other during tough times.
When she was still a young woman, Morgan moved out of Ohio and her
life took a challenging turn. She began experimenting with
prescription drugs, influenced by her then-boyfriend. This marked the
start of a troubling phase in her life, which eventually led her to
heroin. Morgan faced many serious and life-altering struggles that
altered the course of her life, and deeply affected our relationship.
During the worst of her struggle with addiction, she vanished from our
lives, cutting off all contact. This sickening feeling is something
that many of us supporting loved ones who are fighting addiction have
experienced. It was a time of immense worry and uncertainty, never
knowing where Morgan was or how she was doing.
Her first overdose was a shock to us all, and a painful reminder of
the dangers she was facing and the demons she was fighting. It brought
the severity of her situation into stark reality. Then, after a brief
period of recovery, she relapsed and overdosed again. These incidents
were not only terrifying, but also heartbreaking—highlighting the
tragic and chaotic nature of addiction.
When she finally realized what her life had become, my sister had had
enough. She began her road to recovery by contacting loved ones and
rebuilding her life. When she was ready, myself and our family were
waiting with open arms and loving hearts. I love my sister, and even
through the hardest and most uncertain times tried my best to be her
biggest supporter, in the hopes that she would be able to turn things
around and come back to us.
After years of sobriety, Morgan is now married and lovingly taking
care of two children, building a life that she can be proud of.
[3]
_Morgan on her wedding day. I am so proud of how far she’s come. _
I wish this story were unique. My cousin Bobby lost his life to
overdose, as have so many other good people. All the while, behind the
scenes, Big Pharma played a key role in causing the opioid crisis,
promoting overly-aggressive marketing strategies and spreading
misleading and false information about the risks of widespread use of
opioid painkillers.
As Morgan’s story makes plain, this ever-worsening crisis has left
us desperately in need of leaders who will prioritize the well-being
of our loved ones over everything else. However, my opponent,
Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) has a legislative track record that
reflects the agenda of the big pharmaceutical companies that bankroll
his campaign—THIS YEAR ALONE, BALDERSON’S CAMPAIGN HAS RECEIVED A
STAGGERING $37,500 FROM POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACS) AFFILIATED
WITH BIG PHARMA AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES.
While folks in our communities battle the opioid epidemic every day,
Troy Balderson blithely fills his campaign coffers with massive
contributions from some of the very people who helped create the
crisis in the first place.
Unlike Troy Balderson, I know the personal toll this crisis takes on
real people. In Congress, I will work tirelessly on policies that
support evidence-based treatment options, enhance recovery services,
and hold Big Pharma accountable. When elected, I will work to expand
access to life-saving drugs like naloxone, improve prescription drug
monitoring programs to prevent abuse, and invest in community-based
recovery services that provide holistic care and support for families.
[4]
[4]
I need your help to unseat Troy Balderson and defeat the campaign
machine that he has built with opioid blood money. Can I count on you
to make a donation of $10 or whatever you can spare to help me
advocate for families victimized by the raging opioid epidemic? [5]
_If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your
donation will go through immediately._
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Donate another amount [12] or multiply your impact with a monthly
contribution [13]
When elected, I will always fight to ensure the FDA has everything
they need to hold big pharma accountable. I will support legislation
that protects our families from the lies and greed of corporations
that are only driven by profit at any cost.
Thank you for your support and for standing with me as I fight for
Ohio families and everyone who has been affected by the tragedy of
addiction.
_Jerrad_
[14]
Jerrad Christian
Candidate for Congress (OH-12)
DONATE [14]
To contribute via check, please address to:
JERRAD CHRISTIAN FOR OH-12
P.O. box 315, Galena, OH
United States of America
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P.O. box 315
Galena
Ohio
43021
United States of America
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