Celebrate Jackie's 40th Birthday with a Gift of Hope

For her 40th birthday, Jackie has chosen to celebrate by giving back. Here is a message from her:
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On September 3rd, I'll be 40. This number has haunted me for a long time, but not for the reasons you'd think.
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My father died when he was 39, so this birthday carries a weight that's hard to put into words. I'm about to reach an age he never got to see. At 39, my dad is all he ever was, and all he ever will be. In some ways, I miss him more now than ever. I miss the dad I had, and more so, the man, father, and grandfather he never got to become. Our relationship was complicated. His addiction kept him from showing up the way he wanted to, and the way I needed him to. But I also find peace in knowing how much he loved me, and gratitude for the way his life and his death shaped mine.
I'm 39 now too, and I don't want to leave this world any time soon. That alone is worth celebrating, because it wasn't always true. For a long time, I never thought I'd make it this far. There were years I didn't want to be on earth at all, when I couldn't imagine ever being happy or feeling loved. I didn’t believe I deserved to be. Getting here wasn't easy, but I made it. I'm proud of who and where I am. This is 40. And I'm no longer scared. I'm grateful.
I want to celebrate that I survived my father. I want to celebrate that I survived myself. I want to celebrate that I am still here. And not just here. Happy to be here.
And I want to do it with the people who make this life worth living.
In honor of this milestone and in lieu of gifts, I'm gratefully asking for donations in any amount to For Cameron, in memory of my dad, Robert Michael Colavolpe. My goal is $3900.
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For Cameron is a New Haven nonprofit founded by close family friends, working to end the stigma around addiction and change the way we talk about it. They support families impacted by loss and substance use, and they meet people with compassion instead of shame. That's the kind of grace my dad didn't always get, and giving in his name feels like one small way to make sure someone else does. ♡