By Trish Svoboda/Images courtesy of TK Fights Fentanyl

A Topeka family has transformed grief into action after losing their daughter, Kaylee, to fentanyl August 25, 2023. Determined to prevent other families from experiencing similar loss, Amber and Max Burger founded the faith-based nonprofit TK Fights Fentanyl to provide education, resources, and life-saving tools communities.

Amber said the nonprofit came about after her and her husband found it hard to get out of bed because they felt as if something was missing, and knew it was Kaylee. “My husband and I prayed for a reason. We don’t understand anything about this. So, we went to a rally in Leavenworth. And my husband said, I think this might be our reason. I think this might be what we need to be doing. We need to be making a change because other parents may not know anything about fentanyl just like we didn’t until it hit our family with such an impact,” Amber said.

Following the tragedy, Amber said they started with a Facebook page to offer a safe, nonjudgmental space for those grieving substance-related losses to be angry, offer prayer, or whatever they may need to cope. They quickly expanded their efforts, distributing naloxone and drug test strips to the community. What began as a single street-corner initiative has grown into nine “Save a Life” stations across Kansas, with more requests pending. The stations aim to break stigma, educate the public, and offer immediate tools for overdose prevention.

Amber said the process to install a station is fairly straightforward. She said no permits are needed since the businesses already own the property. “It’s just a matter of us getting the station ready and getting the business owners permission.” They currently use refurbished newspaper stands adding the names of people’s loved ones on the outside along with critical information, such as the 988 crisis line. She said that in the future, they hope to set up their stations in a blessing box style.

The most recent station was installed at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Each station is stocked with naloxone, drug test strips, local mental health resources, and local contact information for substance use treatment. “We also put information on how Naloxone is good for 30 years past its expiration date and what to do if it freezes or if it’s too hot,” Amber said. “Just anything we feel that can be impactful or helpful.” She said they “want to make it as easy as possible. No barriers for people to reach out to get the help they need and deserve.”

The nonprofit emphasizes that fentanyl can affect anyone—from adolescents experimenting with drugs to infants exposed through accidental ingestion. “I wish people understood that sometimes it’s not always someone struggling with addiction that is dying from fentanyl. Although sometimes it is, and if it is, then you need to give those people the resources that they need,” she said.

The organization also hosts public awareness events, including a candlelight vigil in Topeka on August 21 for National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, and a memorial wall unveiling at the Kansas Capitol on August 29 including guest speakers Pat Proctor, a Kansas City firefighter and bereaved parents. A Kansas specific banner will also be placed at the Capitol building. The family encourages community involvement through volunteer opportunities, donations, and advocacy.

Through these efforts, they hope to honor Kaylee’s memory by saving lives, connecting people to resources, and raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.

A full list of events, as well as resources and other information, can be found at KayleesDadIsMad.com