A MESSAGE FROM CJ, Matt, and Zac
Hello! We are CJ, Matt, and Zac. Every year since 2014 Zac and CJ have run the New York City Marathon together and this year they are teaming up with Matt for their biggest goal yet: raise $75,000.00 for addiction recovery for the Release Recovery Foundation and honor everyone who has lost a sibling to addiction, which this crew has been uniquely affected by.
Matt and Zac are brothers from Jersey. Growing up 5 years apart, they did everything together from cheering on their favorite teams (GO BIRDS) to their fair share of partying. Zac idolized Matt, but their relationship was nearly ruined by Zac’s struggles with addiction. By the summer of 2011, the two were not even speaking.
Matt and CJ are best friends from college. While Matt was struggling with his family’s hardships with addiction, CJ was going through the same exact thing with his brother Kevin. Now 11 years sober, Zac will be running his 10th marathon with CJ and Matt together to honor Kevin, who lost his battle with addiction, along with everyone else who has lost a sibling to this disease.
We are here to give HOPE. Please support us on this mission to save lives. Some may think our goal is too big, but there is too much work to be done. We have to KEEP GOING.
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Release Recovery Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all who are ready and willing to seek professional treatment, are able. Substance abuse and mental illness destroys the lives of too many people from underserved communities who may not have the resources for proven treatments. Release Recovery Foundation offers scholarships to bridge the gap between what people can afford and what they need to transform their lives, regardless of race, gender, and/or sexual orientation.Last year, we had 61 runners complete the NYC Marathon and raised over $400,000.00 for those who suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. This year, we are going even BIGGER and our goal is to break $1,000,000.00. Please support us on this mission to save lives. Give Thanks. Live Life. Release.
