By Tim Saunders on
Supernatural star Jared Padalecki got the surprise of his life at Comic-Con this week when more than 7000 fans held up candles in support of his Always Keep Fighting campaign.
The audience held up the candles during a panel discussion with the stars of Supernatural, and Padalecki was moved to tears by the show of solidarity.
“Thanks you to anybody and everybody that had ANY part whatsoever in the Always Keep Fighting Hall H tea light event,” he wrote on Facebook. "As I travel back to Vancouver from San Diego Comic-Con, with my partners in crime Jensen Ackles and Mark Sheppard, the enormity of what happened is finally starting to sink in….
“I am beyond moved. I feel so blessed, and grateful, and honored to be a part of the magical Supernatural Family. Sitting on that stage in Hall H, I initially mistook all of the lights for cell phone cameras. It’s difficult to discern specific shapes and faces with all of those stage lights shining on you (and, it’s quite intimidating up there, sitting in front of 6,500 people!!). Then, when I had a light given to me with an explanation of what it was and what it stood for, I was (and am still) gob-smacked.”
Padalecki started his Always Keep Fighting campaign earlier this year to support To Write Love on Her Arms, after opening up about his own fight with depression.
“I think people who are dealing with severe depression or having suicidal thoughts often believe that the world would be better without them in it and that the people around them would be “relieved.” I wish I could tell them that they are mistaken," he said. “It’s extremely painful to lose somebody to suicide. The pain and the questions don’t really ever leave. I still can’t talk or think about my most recent encounter without breaking down. To those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, I would beg them to continue their brave struggle, and I would implore them to seek help.”
Fans who took part in the candle event at Comic-Con were also given a card that read: “Everyone is given a candle that burns just for them. When your flame flickers and you fear it will go out, know not seven the strongest wind lasts forever; and there are other lights to guide you even in the Darkness… And when your candle burns bright, you can ignite the hearts of others and hope will spread like wildfire… Always Keep Fighting, and you’ll never fight alone.”
Copyright © 2015 Look to the Stars
