Hi, friend. My name is Sam Grady, and I'm a survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

I was in Holocaust class with my best friend, Helena, when we heard the sound of gunshots. The next thing I knew, the shooter had broken the glass of my classroom door. I got hit twice, and then, a bullet hit Helena just as she was trying to shield me. She was selfless – I wish she had been more selfish.

After the shooting, I couldn't help but wonder why I'm still here – why I was able to make it out when Helena and almost a quarter of my class didn't. But now, I know my purpose is to honor Helena by working to prevent anyone else from having to watch their best friend die right next to them.

As another school year begins, I'm working alongside Ban Assault Weapons NOW to prevent the next school shooting. We need at least 10,000 people to join BAWN's call to finally reform our gun laws and protect students like me. I'm personally asking you to add your name before our midnight deadline.

After Helena died, I was completely in denial that my best friend was gone forever. I kept thinking she was playing a joke on me and afterwards we would just laugh together about everything that had happened. 

But it wasn't a joke. The shooting at Parkland scarred our lives forever. And since then, we've witnessed more school shootings – including two this month – and there has been no meaningful gun reform that could have prevented these tragedies.

We're supposed to be safe at school. No one should have to wonder as soon as they walk in a room, "Where's my escape route?" That's why I'm working to finally ban assault weapons and pass sensible gun reform – before another student like me has to watch their best friend die.

So please, in honor of Helena and the other 16 members of our MSD family who were senselessly murdered with a weapon of war, I'm counting on you to join our fight to save lives today. Will you sign our petition now to prevent tragedies like the school shooting in Parkland? Please add your name before midnight to help us reach our 10,000-signer goal and protect students across America.

Together, I know we can convince our state and federal legislators to finally end our country's gun violence epidemic. Thanks for supporting our lifesaving movement. 

Samantha Grady

Parkland Survivor
Alumna, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School