Losing sometimes means finding something else.

Fountain Hills resident Gretchen Zurek and her son, Kevin, know deeply about loss. And they know deeply about finding a way to cope with pain.

Gretchen has lost two children and a son-in-law. Her first daughter drowned; her middle daughter may have suffered a blood clot that killed her, although the coroner said she died from pain medication overdose. Her son-in-law committed suicide.

And those losses are Kevin’s losses as well. His best friend from high school overdosed. Kevin has another older sister, whose husband died of a brain tumor when Kevin was 24. He is now 40 and has found some peace after creating a website to help other people deal with a plethora of life’s difficulties from addiction, eating disorders, mental illness, abuse or other occurrences affecting a person’s life.

“Kevin wanted people to understand that you can survive hard things, that you are useful, and you have value,” Gretchen said of her son, who lives in Carlsbad, Calif. “He has lost so much as a young age, but he has made so much of his life.”

Kevin, an I-Heart Radio sales rep, developed the website recoveryrockstars.com.

“He cares about people, and he feels that people are stars no matter what,” Gretchen said.

The website provides a place for people in recovery or who need a place to tell their story.

“Their stories are incredible,” Gretchen said. “These people have been through so much, but they are survivors. Kevin gave them a place to talk about it. It has been very therapeutic not only for these special people, but for Kevin as well.”

Gretchen, who believes in giving back, has volunteered at Mayo Clinic and works at the Town of Fountain Hills one day a week as a receptionist.

“Our family has always helped others,” she said. “Kevin knows the importance of giving. I am very proud of him.”