Happy Forever Birthday, Cameron Boyce.

The day I found out about Cameron Boyce's passing, I felt sucker-punched. Like a heavy weight had come over my heart and would never disappear. From time to time, I just get reminded of this grief and I feel numb, poring through his social media. Trying to pretend he's still here with us.

Of course, that does not even begin to describe what his close friends and family must feel. But in their grief, they have continued Cameron's work and started organizations such as The Cameron Boyce Foundation, Wielding Peace, and Archives from Cameron Boyce.

Today would've been his twenty-first birthday, and to honor him, his friends and family set up a birthday campaign, hoping to raise $50,000 as a fundraiser to end gun violence and cure epilepsy. As of right now, May 28th at 6:00pm, the fundraiser has raised over $56,000. I hope he can see us down here, still thinking of him and how much his work impacted the lives of others. I hope he knows truly how many people he touched. Please consider donating to the campaign here: https://thecameronboycefoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/100868-happy-birthday-cameron.

This afternoon, Sophie Reynolds and Karan Brar, longtime best friends and roommates of Cameron Boyce, announced that TCBF (The Cameron Boyce Foundation) had teamed up with Dove Cameron, another close friend and co-star of Boyce, to create the Dove Cameron x Wielding Peace collection. You can order a t-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, a hoodie, or a hat all in light pink, white, or black (except for the hat).

The proceeds will go to the TCBF (I believe) as well as a portion of profits going to the Actors Fund for COVID relief.

Here is a link to the collection, available until June 11th: https://represent.com/cameron?variant=79041264.

Shipping will start in two weeks 💛

Even almost a year later, it's still bizarre to refer to Cameron in the past tense. Even harder, I imagine, on his birthday. The strength his friends and family have exuded is inspirational, and I hope they continue to be shown love and support long after.

I've always wanted a group of close friends. In my writing, I like to explore themes of complex or toxic friendships, but I love reading about best friends. I love watching best friends interact. I love watching shows where friends become a community, and community becomes a family. I think there is nothing more special than finding your person, your soulmate, and your home in a friend or in a group of friends.

And I just wish he had more time with his.

His parents are two of the loveliest souls to have blessed social media, and I'm so thankful that they shared their son with us. I hope his sister, Maya, goes on to achieve the most wonderful things and experience the most wonderful love and friendships this world has to offer.

I feel like a leech, sometimes. Being sad about Cameron, when I didn't know him personally. When I say things like "I hope his sister goes on to achieve the most wonderful things and experience the most wonderful love and friendships." But I mean it. And I'm not sure how else to express my sadness, or to feel like I can make a difference like he did.

Though, I can try. We can all help donate whatever we can, whenever we can, if ever we can. We can also help spread awareness and make sure Cam's light never dims or fades, which is the most unlikely thing in this world. And to just keep talking about him, all that he did and all that he was. Still so bizarre to have to say this in the past tense.

Happy birthday, Cameron Boyce. Thank you for everything.