It's the phone call every parent dreads.
"Come to the hospital. It's your son...and it's bad."
The heartwrenching loss of Mary Ciammetti's son, Christian, in 2015 could have been avoided had his friends known the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to respond. This was a young man who, before college, had not been a drinker. His high school career had been filled with football and like-minded friends committed to practices, games, and healthy habits.
However, the freedoms of college and a pervasive drinking culture gradually impacted Christian. A talented Temple University junior majoring in landscape architecture, his future was bright...but dimmed by binge drinking. "I had no idea," says Mary.
In the aftermath of Christian's death, she formed a non-profit organization that educates and empowers people to recognize the signs and encourages them to "Don't Stall, Just Call."
Mary speaks to college students like her son, but in this riveting interview, she shares the surprising statistic that the vast majority of alcohol poisoning deaths are middle-aged men.
Stumbling, mumbling, skin that is cool to the touch, unresponsiveness, and vomiting are indicators. "When these signs are evident, do not put the person to bed or make them drink coffee. Make a call," she emphasizes. "It's better to be uncomfortable than to be a pallbearer."
Shifting the cultural norms surrounding alcohol abuse and educating all ages about the signs of binge drinking is now Mary's purpose in life. You'll be inspired by her candor, resilience, and faith.
Mary Ciammetti needs help to bring her life-saving message to college campuses. To find out more, visit www.dontstalljustcall.org.
