The need for women’s patient aid is greater than ever.

Dear Friends,
Because you care…
May I tell you about Elizabeth?
And also—how your gift right now for women of all ages who are struggling with mental health challenges and addiction:
Will double in value!

But first…about Elizabeth.
Her story begins when she was just 15 years old. On weekends, she started drinking and using drugs like Ritalin and Adderall.
But she made good grades, was in the marching band and even took Advanced Placement classes. Then, when she went away to college she was on her own, and went overboard—her OxyContin use eventually led to heroin. She says:
“I would wake up at two or three in the afternoon—miss all my classes, and go to the bank and withdraw cash from the savings account my parents set up for me.”
She didn’t eat much. Elizabeth didn’t want to spend money on food when she could use it to buy drugs. On Sundays, Elizabeth would try to clean up and eat something. But she usually ended up back at a hotel room using.

However, her family did an intervention when she was home for winter break. It was a disaster. “Right out of a TV show,” Elizabeth says.
“I didn’t think I had a problem. I mean, I wasn’t using needles and I wasn’t out on the streets.”
Elizabeth’s family had an assessment and treatment program lined up for her at Hazelden Betty Ford, along with a plane ticket.
She was extremely angry about that:
“I didn’t want to go, but decided to play it out so my family could see I didn’t have a problem. I was completely convinced the assessment would show I wasn’t an addict and didn’t need treatment.”
When she got to Hazelden Betty Ford, her counselors gave her an assignment: Talk to a peer.
Elizabeth asked a friend she met in treatment where she might begin. The friend told Elizabeth to think back to an earlier time in her life and imagine where she thought she’d be at nineteen.
“And that’s when it dawned on me. I pictured myself going to Duke University. Becoming an attorney. Being surrounded by lots of friends and family.
“Instead, I was alone. Miserable. So, so low.”

Finally, Elizabeth could see that drugs and alcohol were ruining everything in her life. And she says:
“There was a solution for me. Things could be different. I was thirsty for this new knowledge. That’s how I started to learn about my addiction and how to start living again.”

So, my friend, does this story have a happy ending?
For Elizabeth it does. But gaining freedom from addition is a lifelong journey taken a day at a time. And we must be here for Elizabeth and anyone who needs us—24/7.
And now even more so because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, women of all ages like Elizabeth need us more than ever. A recent RAND Corporation study found alcohol use has increased by 14% since the beginning of COVID-19. Alarmingly, heavy drinking among women has increased even sharper at a rate of 41%.
Hazelden Betty Ford chief medical officer Dr. Marv Seppala says, “For women, binge drinking remains a troubling issue. A lot of women are carrying a heavy burden during COVID-19. They’re juggling working from home, virtual schooling, and taking care of children. A glass of wine or two is seen as a socially acceptable coping tool. All too often though, a glass or two turns into three, four or five glasses.”
We pledge to you that Hazelden Betty Ford is going to be here for women like Elizabeth just as long as they need us.
Addiction doesn’t stop. And neither will we.
However, we will still need financial support from caring people like you!
More than ever!
And if you will send a heartfelt gift to support women’s patient aid for counseling, treatment and recovery support services—right now—something remarkable will happen.
Your gift will be matched
Dollar for dollar
And be doubled!
And that will happen because a generous individual has established a:
$250,000 Matching Gift Challenge

Your support today offers women of all ages in need of our critical services a valuable lifeline at a time when each passing down grows all the more complex and uncertain.
I’m sharing this news with you because you care. Your gifts have proven that to be true.
Now I must ask you to once again send a contribution—and please remember—whatever you send—will be doubled!
$500 will become $1,000
$400 will become $800
$200 will become $400
$100 will become $200

Donate Today: [link removed]

This is a splendid opportunity for you to support Hazelden Betty Ford in a most significant way. Please take advantage of this Matching Gift Challenge, and double your support. Thank you for being there for those who struggle with mental health challenges and addiction. Your gift shows that you are a person who cares—and for that, I am extremely grateful.

Sincerely,
Moira A. McGinley
Vice President & Chief Development Officer

Donate Today: [link removed]

P.S. Please let me repeat: Addiction doesn’t stop, and neither will we!
Our women’s patient aid for counseling, treatment and recovery support services is here to help women struggling with mental health challenges and addiction through these challenging times, made all the more difficult by COVID-19.
And now, a philanthropic individual has established a Matching Gift Challenge guaranteeing to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $250,000, all contributions made to Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in support of women’s patient aid.
This means that whatever you send—will be doubled!

$500 will become $1,000
$400 will become $800
$200 will become $400
$100 will become $200

I pledge to you that COVID-19 will not win! So please support our women’s patient aid today. I think you will, because you are a person who cares.

Donate Today: [link removed]

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Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
15251 Pleasant Valley Rd.
PO Box 11 RW19
Center City, MN 55012-0011

105925