Meet Sophie Kennedy, End Overdose's December Volunteer of the Month and the President and Founder of End Overdose's chapter at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Sophie leads one of our most active chapters, overseeing the training of 2,517 people and the distribution of 3,227 naloxone doses and 3,538 test strips in 2024 alone!

End Overdose: Why was Sophie selected as the Volunteer of the Month?
Maddie Ward: Sophie shows a rare level of dedication and commitment to the well-being of her peers and campus community. Through any conversation you have with her, Sophie's passion for keeping others safe and healthy is apparent. On her campus, Sophie consistently advocates for increased resources and education for her peers, and she serves as a vital resource for new and developing End Overdose chapters-- making herself available as a mentor for other student leaders across the country.
EO: Can you tell us about yourself and your story?
Sophie Kennedy: I am a senior studying integrative physiology on a pre-PA track at CU Boulder. I grew up in Boulder, about 5 minutes from CU’s campus. I do love it here, but as you can imagine, I am counting down the days until I can move. When I am not ending overdose or studying, I am usually working out or with friends. Some of my favorite things are googling literally everything, blueberry Red Bull and the Cleveland Browns.
EO: What inspired you to volunteer for End Overdose?
Sophie Kennedy: I started our chapter in 2022 because frankly, I was sick of losing my friends. Fentanyl overdose is uniquely terrifying in that it affects both people who are intentionally taking opioids and people who have no intention to. As a sober college student, I have an equal amount of friends in recovery as friends who still use. Although accidental opioid overdoses impact both of these groups indiscriminately, how we reach them needs to be totally different. End Overdose has found the perfect mission and messaging to reach every type of person that fentanyl overdose has or will impact. Every day, I am amazed at the grace with which End Overdose operates, adapts, and handles stigma.
EO: What’s your favorite memory of volunteering with End Overdose?
Sophie Kennedy: My favorite memory of volunteering with End Overdose is coordinating a photoshoot with CU basketball player Courtney Anderson Jr. While End Overdose has a strong presence in the music scene, I think it is important to break into communities where there are not yet resources. I wanted to combine my love of sports with this cause. After a LOT of no’s, we finally found an athlete who was excited to work with us. Seeing Courtney in the merch that our chapter designed was really rewarding. I hope this year we can find more athletes willing to start a conversation about opioid misuse and overdose!

