Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
This Bham native shares her brother’s story with addiction + how you can help now
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When you lose a loved one to substance use disorder, how do you cope?
For Birmingham native Taylin McCarver, the answer was clear. She decided to fight back by sharing her story.
Sign up now for the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) End Addiction BHAM Walk on April 6 at City Walk Bham.
End Addiction BHAM Walk details
- When: April 6 | Check in – 10AM, Program begins – 11AM
- Where: City Walk Bham Amphitheater, 9th Avenue + 21st St, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Cost: Free to attend + walk | $25 to receive walk T-shirt, “Walking for” credentials + other swag
- Register online or at the event
There are many ways you can get involved in this year’s walk. Here’s how:
- Join a team or register as an individual and fundraise/spread awareness. Registration is $25 and includes a Walk T-shirt + “I’m Walking For” lanyard + bracelet.
- Walk. You don’t have to fundraise to join the walk at City Walk Bham. Just sign up + show up—it’s free!
- Donate directly to the cause.
Meet Taylin—the 2024 Champion for the Cause
Taylin McCarver at the End Addiction BHAM Walk, formerly the End Heroin BHAM Walk. (Taylin McCarver)
One local who understands addiction, recovery and APC’s vital role in the community is Taylin McCarver, the 2024 Champion for the Cause.
Taylin’s experience with addiction is through her brother, TJ. After eight years of addiction, he passed away in a car accident while under the influence of numerous substances. He was 27 years old.
“[My family’s] experience with addiction was a roller coaster and that’s putting it lightly.
We had people try to break into our house to get to [my brother’s] stash, he wrecked numerous cars and I watched him get arrested. The list goes on.”
Taylin McCarver, End Addiction BHAM Walk, 2024 Champion for the Cause
Since her brother’s passing in 2018, Taylin has made it her mission to speak out and let other families experiencing similar struggles know they are not alone.
Each year, she and her family walk as “Team TJ” to honor his memory during the APC’s End Addiction BHAM Walk.
They also create a new Team TJ t-shirt before each walk to sell and raise money for APC.
Proceeds from t-shirt sales go toward financial assistance to those battling addiction and those in recovery to attend rehab services.
“The APC has truly taken my family in as their own. They give us the chance to speak about our experience as a family to at least try and save others from the same fate my brother had.
The End Addiction BHAM Walk gives us the chance to see how many individuals are truly in active addiction or recovery.
The more we promote what our family has gone through, the more others will start to realize this can happen to them too.”
Taylin McCarver, End Addiction BHAM Walk, 2024 Champion for the Cause
Helping end substance use disorder
Addiction Prevention Coalition is a local nonprofit that aims to inspire people to live with hope, resilience and purpose through programs including:
- Prevention education for adolescents + adults
- Teen mental health first aid
- Rehabilitation scholarships
They also host the End Addiction BHAM Walk.
The Walk is their biggest fundraising campaign, bringing thousands together each year to spread awareness about the drug epidemic in Alabama.
Help end substance use disorder in Birmingham—register for the End Addiction BHAM Walk now.
What to expect during the event
Experience a variety of community events at the End Addiction BHAM Walk. (APC)
This year’s walk will take place at the always-exciting City Walk Bham. Here’s a rundown of the many activities happening during the event:
- Pre-walk program acknowledging this year’s top fundraisers + sponsors
- Sober Circle celebrating the sobriety of those in the community
- In-Memory activities to honor + remember loved ones lost to addiction
- Free on-site Naloxone Training from the Jefferson County Department of Health
- Resource Row featuring 30+ prevention, treatment, recovery + health organizations
The event will also feature:
- Music with DJ Floyd
- Food trucks
- Line dancing
- Rock painting
- Yard games
Fight back against substance use disorder in Birmingham—join the End Addiction BHAM Walk on April 6.
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