Kennecke to bring story of 'Emily's Hope' to Luverne

Sioux Falls news anchor Angela Kennecke is turning heartbreak into action by telling the story of her daughter, Emily, who died at age 21 from fentanyl-laced heroin in 2018.
Kennecke started the non-profit, Emily's Hope, to help people struggling with addiction get help. She's bringing her message to Luverne Monday night, Feb. 28. 
The local Luv1LuvAll Brain Health group and local sponsors arranged for the event, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center of Luverne Public Schools.
Kennecke calls attention to addiction as a disease of the brain, and she sheds light on the toll the opioid epidemic is taking on families and communities. 
Despite her personal loss, she said Emily’s story is worth telling in order to increase awareness, promote prevention and end stigma.
“I have to psych myself up to tell Emily's story again and again because it takes me right back to the moment I lost her and the intense pain,” Kennecke said Monday.
“I continue to tell her story because it is truly a way for me to turn heartbreak into action. I know that people have sought help after hearing Emily's story. I also know it enables people who are struggling to feel less alone. Plus, if just one kid stays away from drugs after hearing Emily's story, it is worth it to me.”
She said a student in Michigan approached her after a speaking engagement to say she attempted suicide a year earlier.
“After hearing my talk, she truly understood the pain her mother would have experienced by losing her and she told me she never wanted to hurt her mom in that way,” Kennecke said.
“There are direct and indirect benefits from me sharing Emily's story. My daughter's death was senseless, and I am trying to make sense of it by sharing it with others in hopes that it makes a difference.”
She said she has spoken to dozens of audiences across the region and the nation, including 5,000 high school students at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Opioid Awareness Youth Summit.
“Even then, you can tell that kids are affected by Emily's story,” Kennecke said. “They can relate to her, and they don't think death is really possible for someone like Emily. I know Emily's life and how she died are making a huge difference and saving lives.”
She said an important message she hopes to convey Monday night is that deadly fentanyl is in all of the illegal drug supply. 
“So, any use — even experimental use, is playing Russian roulette,” Kennecke said. “The minuscule amount of fentanyl that it takes to kill someone is terrifying.”
Also, she said the age of a person who first uses a mind-altering substance is important to consider.
“The younger you are when first trying something like weed or alcohol, the greater your risk of addiction,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said her charity, Emily’s Hope, is starting to have an impact.
“We've helped more than 150 people go through treatment, and we are now helping fund partial treatment scholarships for adolescents who suffer from substance use disorder,” Kennecke said.
“Emily's Hope is also developing a prevention education curriculum for the elementary school level to help kids understand what happens to their brains on substances.”
While her message is geared for young people, she said she hopes to reach the community at large.
“Monday night's program is for everyone, because all of our lives are touched by addiction in some way, whether it be a family member, friend or co-worker,” Kennecke said.
“The audience will gain a better understanding of substance use disorder through Emily's story and what we can all do to try to end this overdose epidemic.”
Livestream locations for Kennecke’s talk will be at the Worthington Memorial Auditorium and the Minnesota West Pipestone Campus.
Questions can be directed to 507.227.1978 or 612.220.2904.
Luv1LuvAll and the Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council organizing the event through the Health Resources and Services Administration's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.