For my birthday, instead of gifts, I’m asking friends and family to join me in supporting others on their path to healing.

It has been one year since my brother’s passing. He suffered silently from opioid addiction and was taking his first steps toward recovery when he tragically died by suicide. Losing him changed my life forever, and I don’t want anyone else or any family to experience the same pain.

In his memory, I’m raising funds for Therapeutic Health Services (THS) — a trusted, long-standing nonprofit organization in Washington State that provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals battling addiction.

THS offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT), mental health counseling, and recovery support services that help people rebuild their lives. They serve youth, adults, and families — guiding them toward healing, stability, and a life free from substance dependency. For more than 50 years, THS has been a leader in our community, combining medical treatment with empathy and long-term recovery support.

Every donation made through this campaign will go directly toward THS’s programs that help individuals overcome opioid addiction, access mental-health care, and find the support they need to truly recover.

Your contribution, no matter how small, can help someone find light in the darkness — and maybe even save a life.

Thank you for celebrating my birthday by giving to a cause that means the world to me.

Together, we can honor my brother’s memory and help others take their first steps toward healing.

In loving memory of John "Tho" Bouphasan Phanmeesai