End Overdose is made possible by hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly across the country. Some of them are training attendees at national festivals on how to respond to an overdose, while others are packing naloxone kits in our office well into the evening hours. We want to shine a light on the people whose efforts make our resources free and accessible to all, so we’re excited to share our Volunteer of the Week: Mansi Patel!
"Mansi Patel has been a standout volunteer for End Overdose, participating in both the Chicago chapter, as well as our HQ events," says Chapter & Operations Coordinator Olive Younts. "For the Chicago chapter, Mansi has been an asset to the team, handling the administrative role. Mansi has shown out for events such as Electric Forest and North Coast festival, with over 25 hours in festival-style events. Mansi has expressed serious motivation to support her team and community with a mission to end all drug-related overdoses!"
Can you tell us about yourself and your story?
My name is Mansi Patel, and I am a first-generation Indian American pursuing a career in medicine based in the Chicago area. Growing up in an immigrant household shaped my values early on and instilled in me a deep sense of commitment to bridging gaps between communities. I have been fortunate to visit India several times and witness firsthand the disparities in access to healthcare and basic resources. Seeing those differences made me realize how much circumstance shapes a person’s health and opportunities.
I originally grew up in Florida, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in biology. Shortly after graduating, my life changed in ways I never could have expected. In 2020, my mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Losing her was one of the most difficult moments of my life. She was someone I still had so much to learn from, and her loss forced me to grow in ways I wasn’t prepared for.
A year later, after being accepted into a master’s program in Los Angeles, I came face-to-face with mortality myself. In 2021, I survived a near-fatal jet ski accident that required multiple trauma surgeries. At one point, my family was told I had 72 hours to live. What followed was a long and difficult recovery that lasted nearly nine months. Having that experience from the patient’s side during such a vulnerable time completely changed my perspective. I saw firsthand how powerful compassionate care can be when someone is fighting for their life.
Once I recovered, I moved to Los Angeles to complete my master’s program, determined not to let those experiences define my limits. It was there that I discovered End Overdose. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I’ve spent years attending shows and festivals where the sense of community and freedom is unlike anything else. Being able to combine that environment with overdose prevention and lifesaving education felt like the perfect intersection of my passions. Today, I work closely with patients receiving addiction treatment and have seen firsthand how deeply the opioid crisis affected entire communities. While continuing to work and volunteer, I am preparing to apply to medical school with the goal of becoming a physician who not only treats disease but also addresses the overlooked factors of informed care and education that can shape people’s lives for the better.
What inspired you to volunteer for End Overdose?
I joined End Overdose because I wanted to make an impact on saving lives right now. As someone pursuing medicine, I believe prevention and education are just as important as treatment. Organizations like End Overdose empower communities with the knowledge and tools to respond in life-threatening situations, and that kind of impact can happen immediately.
My own experience with a life-threatening accident also influences the way I approach this work. I know what it feels like to be in a moment where your life depends on the people around you. Because of that, I emphasize compassion during trainings. When someone is experiencing an overdose, they are often scared and vulnerable. I teach people not only how to respond medically, but also how to stay calm and remind the person that someone is there for them until help arrives. Being able to teach people skills that could directly save someone’s life is incredibly meaningful.
What are your favorite memories of volunteering with End Overdose?
My favorite moments are when you can actually see the training “click” for people. When I’m doing back-to-back trainings, it almost becomes like a dance, sharing the information and watching people realize how powerful this knowledge is. One of the most meaningful experiences happened recently when someone thanked me because a quick training session I had given helped them save someone’s life. Moments like that are incredibly humbling and remind me why this work matters so much. Knowing that the knowledge I shared may have helped save a life is one of the greatest joys as I continue on my path toward becoming a physician.
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