Jared Padalecki Cancels ‘Supernatural’ Convention Appearance, Asks Fans For Support
Jared Padalecki has cancelled plans to make an appearance at JIBCON 2015, an annual convention in Italy where Padalecki had hoped to connect with Supernatural fans. Following news of the cancellation, Jared also tweeted some alarming statements, creating widespread concern for Padalecki’s well being.
Mr. Padalecki tweeted that he was in urgent need of his family and those closest to him and for that reason, Jared cancelled the convention appearance. Mr. Padalecki followed up the troubling news with requests for love and support from his fans via his Twitter account. Fans of both Supernatural and Jared Padalecki can send support to the actor by tweeting positive messages and including the #AlwaysKeepFighting hashtag.
I need all of the love I can get right now. Please please give me a few seconds of your time and write me. #AlwaysKeepFighting
— Jared Padalecki (@jarpad) May 16, 2015
As many followers of Mr. Padalecki know, Always Keep Fighting is the slogan for Jared’s campaign to raise awareness for mental illness and depression. Several months back, Jared admitted in an interview that he has had difficulty coping with depression and that it has affected him to a degree where he had to take a break from Supernatural filming schedules in the past.
Mr. Padalecki began the Always Keep Fighting campaign to help him cope with his own depression and to help raise awareness through the sale of T-shirts. Proceeds from the Always Keep Fighting T-shirts are donated to the To Write Love On Her Arms organization, which supports people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
JIBCON has been respectful of Jared’s privacy, saying only that Mr. Padalecki had cancelled his appearance due to illness.
“We’re very sorry to inform all fans that Jared isn’t feeling well and can’t join us in Rome @jarpad get well soon.”
It seems obvious to many fans that Jared Padalecki’s illness is related to his struggle with depression, particularly in light of Padalecki’s request that fans tweet positive ways Supernatural or Always Keep Fighting has impacted their lives.
The Supernatural star has been outspoken in the past, and Padalecki often speaks out to encourage others suffering from depression as well as to raise awareness.
“I say constantly that there’s no shame in dealing with these things. There’s no shame in having to fight every day, but fighting every day, and presumably, if you’re still alive to hear these words or read this interview, then you are winning your war. You’re here.”
Fans have responded to Jared Padalecki in overwhelming numbers, tweeting messages to the Supernatural star in the hopes that their words will help him follow his own advice and to Always Keep Fighting.
[Featured image: Jared Padalecki courtesy of Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]
