Runner raises $24,000 for opioid recovery

Cole Parvin raised more than $24,000 for the Chris Atwood Foundation after completing a 200-mile run through Northern Virginia. The funds will specifically support the nonprofit's mobile Narcan distribution efforts in Fairfax City. Parvin named the challenge Helene's Run in honor of his late mother, Helene, who died from opioid addiction in June 2014 when Parvin was 12 years old.

The run began in Hampton on October 22 and concluded on October 25. Parvin finished at his grandmother's house in Fairfax, the same location where his mother passed away. The entire trek took approximately 52.5 hours. According to Parvin, his mother's addiction originated from medication prescribed after a car accident before his birth. Her condition worsened as he grew up, particularly following his parents' divorce when he was 8. She spent a year in incarceration and attended multiple rehabilitation facilities.

The Chris Atwood Foundation is a Fairfax-based organization that provides free substance use recovery services. These services include naloxone kits, housing grants, and counseling. Parvin created the challenge to direct funding toward the foundation's mobile outreach programs. He stated that the goal is to help save lives by providing accessible support to individuals struggling with addiction.

Parvin, who played college football, said the experience allowed him to process the loss of his mother during key life milestones. He noted that the grief often surfaces during moments like graduation or significant personal achievements. He said he felt his mother's presence when he crossed the finish line. He hopes the run encourages others to persist despite physical and mental exhaustion.

The next phase of the campaign involves distributing the raised funds to the mobile units operating in Fairfax County. Parvin plans to continue advocating for the foundation's work. The specific amount of $24,000 represents the total collected so far from the challenge.

The run serves as a direct financial contribution to the nonprofit's operational costs for mobile distribution. Parvin emphasized that the funds are earmarked for this specific initiative rather than general organizational expenses. The Chris Atwood Foundation will utilize the money to expand its reach in the local community.