My nephew didn't survive the Parkland school shooting -- it broke my heart and shattered our lives forever.

But I want to tell you about 3 students who did survive, and why my team is working every day to make sure this never happens to them -- or anyone else -- again:

I’m fighting for David Hogg, a survivor of the horrific Parkland shooting.

Almost 4 years ago, David was in his AP environmental science class when he heard “pop” sounds.

As he and his classmates tried to leave the school, unknowingly heading straight for the shooter, a janitor stopped them in their tracks and told them to find a place to hide.

Another teacher pulled them into a classroom where they hid in a closet.

That’s when David pulled out his phone and through social media learned that there was an active shooter in his school.

Right then and there David decided to record what was happening at his school, interviewing the classmates hiding in the closet with him, in case they didn’t make it out alive.

No one should ever have to go through what David did. But unfortunately nothing has changed and the long list of gun violence survivors keeps growing. It’s stories like David’s that inspired us to start this organization and fuel us every day to work to end gun violence and stop the endless bloodshed in our country. But we can’t do it alone. We need to raise $10,000 before National Gun Violence Survivors Week ends to fully fund our mission to ban assault weapons, beat back the gun lobby’s massive cash advantage, and make sure this never happens again. Will you rush $15? >>

I’m fighting for Sam Grady, a survivor of the devastating Parkland shooting.

She was just sitting in history class on a day that seemed like any other, until a gunman with an assault weapon started shooting into her classroom.

Sam’s best friend Helena was shielding her when a bullet hit and killed Helena.

Sam was shot twice. One bullet ricocheted off her chest, and another grazed the right side of her torso.

She survived, but almost a quarter of her class didn’t.

Ban Assault Weapons NOW is working tirelessly to fight for survivors like Sam to ensure no one else has to ever watch their best friend die right in front of them. But we need to raise $10,000 before this monumental week is over to prove overwhelming support for survivors and fully fund our organization. Will you chip in $15 to join our fight and end gun violence once and for all? >>

And I’m fighting for Eden Hebron, a survivor of the terrifying Parkland shooting.

Eden was in room 1216 during fourth-period English. She was sitting next to her close friend, Alyssa.

Their laughter filled the room until they were suddenly interrupted by the sound of gunshots.

Eden and Alyssa dove under a table and listened as the gunshots got closer and closer, until finally, the sound was coming from right outside the door of their classroom.

The glass of the door shattered, and within seconds, Alyssa was struck with bullets.

Eden’s dearest friend, who she had just been laughing with only two minutes before, was dying on the floor of their classroom.

Alyssa deserved better. Eden deserves better. And that’s why we’re doing everything in our power to make sure no one ever has to feel the unimaginable heartbreak of losing a loved one to gun violence again. Can you spare $15 to stand with us, help us fund this organization’s critical work to end gun violence, and help us honor those who survived these unspeakable, preventable horrors? The more you donate, the more we give to gun sense candidates. >>

Thank you for your help in this critical moment,

Gail Schwartz



Chair, Ban Assault Weapons NOW
Heartbroken aunt of Parkland shooting victim