Our story
Cade Reddington tragically lost his life on 11/04/21 at the age of eighteen in his freshman dorm room at UW-Milwaukee, just a couple weeks shy of his 19th birthday. Cade died from being poisoned by taking what he thought was one Percocet pill, but it turned out to be a fake and 100% fentanyl. Cade had just told his mom a few days before he died that he had met with his advisor to switch his major from business to psychology so that he could go into counseling to help others. He was excited about going into a career to help others in the field of drug and alcohol counseling.
Such a bright light to others - Cade would make people feel welcome, always had the biggest smile and best hugs, poured himself into others with care and concern and had boundless energy. He loved snowboarding, skateboarding, wrestling, chasing sunsets, adventurous travel and hanging with friends. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death among 18-50 year olds, but a lack of education and awareness as well as mental health coping skills can leave adolescents and young adults vulnerable to fake pills and drugs that are deadly. This scholarship seeks to honor Cade Reddington’s legacy by supporting students who have been either directly or indirectly impacted by substance use, addiction, or mental health struggles. It is open to high school seniors in Wisconsin who wish to propel their experience into their college education and career by going into the field of Psychology.
Our goal
Fundraising for the Cade Reddington Be The Light Memorial Scholarship. Annually two $1000 scholarships will be awarded to two high school seniors who have been impacted directly or indirectly by substance use or mental health issues and would like to channel their experience into helping others in their career. We would be honored to have you help further Cade's legacy by helping a student interested in being a light to others like Cade was.