Rosecrance lights the way to Recovery Month with annual overdose awareness walk

During a special night of remembrance, paths in Illinois and Iowa glowed with hundreds of candlelit luminaries, each representing a cherished name, loving memory, or a shining symbol of hope

Organized by Rosecrance staff for International Overdose Awareness Day, the annual walk not only honors lives lost to overdose but also illuminates the hope, resilience, and recovery still burning bright in the hearts of survivors and their communities.

Overdoses took the lives of 80,391 Americans last year. As a leader in behavioral health and in the treatment of substance use disorder, Rosecrance experts see firsthand the pain that addiction has on an individual and their loved ones. Many who’ve experienced loss because of an overdose continue to live with the stigma associated with a drug overdose.

Clients and staff came together to decorate luminaire bags with meaningful names, heartfelt messages, and beautiful artwork. With candles nestled inside, these bags created a warm, glowing path walked by both past and present Rosecrance clients, along with supportive community members (at select locations).

This illuminated path serves as a powerful reminder that no one is alone in their substance use or during their recovery journey.

These luminaries will carry us through to National Recovery Month, as Rosecrance and our communities celebrate the incredible strides made by those in recovery and pay tribute to the dedicated professionals who help them live substance-free lives.

“Every day, countless lives are dramatically affected by overdose, leaving lasting impacts on families and friends,” said Dr. Raymond Garcia, Chief Medical Officer for Rosecrance Behavioral Health. “These lasting effects emphasize the importance of our efforts to save lives, but we must also remember those we have lost.”