Tag Archives: dying

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Diane Urban’s 25 yo Son Jordan

In Episode 201, I speak with Diane Urban, founder of the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs (APALD), about her son Jordan’s death at age 25 to fentanyl poisoning.

Jordan Garmatter 5/3/1993 – 4/6/2019

Diane turned her pain into a powerful organization to help others and spread awareness of this deadly drug.

They hold rallies in every state to engage the public, bereaved families and especially to get the politicians to do more on this issue.

Please visit the following sites to learn more and to get involved:

Visit the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs – https://www.weareapald.org

And their facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1025502964943186

Watch the video version of my conversation with Diane here –

Please share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #onepillcankill #fentanylpoisoning #deathofason #dianeurban #jordangarmatter #apald #associationofpeopleagainstlethaldrugs #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DN22KFWSZ8XY8
– is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube/@themarymacshow – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Andi Sommerfeld Lee’s 28 yo Daughter Amanda

In Episode 200, I speak with Andi Sommerfeld Lee, Vice President of the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition, about her daughter Amanda’s death at age 28 to fentanyl poisoning.

Amanda’s brother Mike and Andi at her HS graduation

Andi speaks candidly about Amanda’s addiction and how it devastated her family over many years. It completely consumed Andi as she tried to save her daughter’s life.

Amanda with beloved dog, Duck, who Andi now cares for

Affectionately called “Mana”, she is survived by her stepdad Rick Lee, whom Andi has been married to for 22 years, her brother Mike, a veteran, who was 32 when Amanda died, and many loving relatives and friends.

Amanda with her beloved maternal grandmother, Barb

Andi is very active in creating awareness through the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition to help other families better understand fentanyl poisoning so it won’t devastate their families.

The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths.

Chelsea (daughter in law), Mike (brother), Rick (stepfather), my Mom and my sister, Kris Sommerfeld

Watch my interview with Andi here:

Visit The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition and its Facebook Group to learn more.

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofadaughter #andilee #andisommerfeldlee #amandaharris #fentanylawarenesscoalition #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Andi for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Laura Woody’s 29 yo Son Jimmy

In Episode 198, I speak with Laura Woody, administrator of Lost Voices of Fentanyl and Founder of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren While Grieving The Loss Of A Child, about her son Jimmy’s death at 29 to fentanyl poisoning.

Jimmy was involved in music as a young boy and enjoyed his band, James and The Nasty Peach, a thoroughly unique name!

James and The Nasty Peach

He loved his niece and nephew and enjoyed being around them, as seen in the photos below.

Jimmy Woody with Niece and Nephew

And we also spoke about how Grandparents are raising their grandchildren left behind from their children’s death. It takes a toll on parents who were ready to retire and now their savings and time are required to care for what Laura calls “Fentanyl Orphans” and “Fentanyl Grandfamilies” very appropriate titles.

Jimmy engaging with little one

We also spoke about the 3rd Annual rally on Saturday, September 23rd on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. You can find details in the press release here.

Please do your best to attend the Rally to show America and its elected officials that they need to do more to help the surviving families and to bring awareness to this lethal drug so less families will need to survive the death of their children.

Watch my interview with Laura here:

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofason #laurawoody #jimmywoody #lostvoicesoffentanylrally #grandparentsraisinggrandchildren #fentanylorphans #fentanylgrandfamilies #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Laura for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Ed Kobilis’ 20 yo Son Eddie

In Episode 197, I speak with Ed Kobilis, President of the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition, whose son Eddie was 20 when he died by fentanyl poisoning from only one lethal pill.

Eddie Kobilis

Before his son was murdered by fentanyl poisoning, Ed was unaware that any one pill could possibly kill his son.

In the past we saw actors taking a bottle of pills, then sent to the hospital, their stomachs pumped and they were good to go.

Unfortunately, our society has changed and one pill, even one half of a pill, can kill almost instantly.

Eddie Kobilis Forever 20

Usually, young people are unaware that what they received is not what they requested.

Instead of getting a percocet, xanax or other drug, which they thought was a prescription drug, they are getting an illegal, illicit, counterfeit fentanyl pill which can kill them instantly.

Even just being exposed to it, can cause a major reaction to our health.

Ed Kobilis – President, Fentanyl Awareness Coalition

The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths.

Ed, Maryann and Michelle

We also spoke about the 3rd Annual rally on Saturday, September 23rd on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. You can find details on Lost Voices of Fentanyl facebook page here.

Watch my interview with Ed here:

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofason #edkobilis #eddiekobilis #fentanylawarenesscoalition #lostvoicesoffentanylrally #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Ed for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | April Babcock’s 25 yo son Austen

In Episode 196, I speak with April Babcock, who founded Lost Voices of Fentanyl after the death of her son, Austen at age 25. We speak candidly about how our government is failing us and how this illegal, illicit, counterfeit drug should be considered a weapon of mass destruction.

April Babcock with son Austen as a child
Austen enjoying paintball

One of her goals is to make families aware that this drug is killing over 300 of our youngest people each day! Over 110,000 have been killed in 2022 and the numbers are growing exponentially.

Yet many of our government officials don’t believe this is an issue so families do all they can to make sure these authorities are aware and educated to these crimes.

Just a few of the over 300 killed each day to fentanyl poisoning.

Their 3rd annual rally will be on Saturday, September 23rd on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Please attend whether you are a bereaved parent or someone who supports these families.

Details about the Rally and all its speakers are here on LVOF facebook page/event invite. It starts at 10am – 3pm and then a march to the White House follows.

Visit Lost Voices of Fentanyl – https://www.LVOF.org – where April and her dedicated volunteers are committed to working with bereaved families, communities and politicians about this deadly drug.

Their facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/506404506985344

Their Twitter “X” – https://twitter.com/LVOFentanyl

Watch my interview with April here:

Please share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #onepillcankill #poison #deathofason #aprilbabcock #austen #lostvoicesoffentanyl #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much April for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo