Your Character Matters: Dinuba friends are turning tragedy into a mission to help others
Dec 24, 2024
DINUBA, Calif. (KSEE) – A pair of best friends from Dinuba High School are taking tragedy and turning it into a mission to help others.
"My brother did make a choice, and he couldn’t take that back,” said Kylie Lopez, a student at Dinuba High School.
At just 11 years old, Kylie had to grow up fast.
“The consequences were permanent,” Kylie said.
Four years ago, her older brother died from an accidental Fentanyl overdose. The grief from that tragedy took hold of her family, but next to Kylie’s side was her best friend since elementary school, Sanjog Pannu.
"Seeing my best friend persevere through grief has been such a motivating experience, even for me. And every day I feel like we have a purpose because we have each other for this project," Sanjog said.
Kylie and Sanjog are in the Medical Academy program at Dinuba High School. Working together, they have turned their pain into purpose with a project called “One Pill Will Kill.”
"We’re actually having an impact and making a movement in their heart. That’s why we’re doing this in the first place," Sanjog said.
The campaign includes speaking engagements, community outreach, and Narcan training. The pair’s passion and dedication has inspired teachers and students alike.
“I was just impressed that they said, we're going to do this and we're going to make a difference,” said Tayna Pennybaker, a teacher at Dinuba High School.
Their work is leaving a lasting legacy. Recently, the students received a grant to turn their campaign into a nonprofit.
"It's coming full circle, like they're being recognized for these, these efforts that they've put forth. But I know this is going to continue well past high school,” said TJ Celaya, a teacher at Dinuba High School.
For Kylie and Sanjog, the message is clear: one pill can kill. The plan of action is simple: turn pain into passion.
"It's been hard and it gets harder each day. But we started this campaign to combat against the grief and to combat against the ongoing Fentanyl epidemic that is going on and that is affecting families too," Kylie said.
To follow their campaign and learn more about “One Pill Will Kill” find them on Instagram and Facebook and online here.