Within the last 10 years, Jessica Keesling of Waterford lost her father, grandfather and, last year, her uncle to suicide.
Keesling, 26, said she remembers, with each phone call, falling to the floor as soon as she heard the news.
After her father’s death in 2009, Keesling said, “The numbness, the questions, the ‘is this real’ went on for days.”
Slowly but surely, Keesling grew to cope and has since made it her mission to prevent others from taking their lives.
Six years ago, she began hosting the annual fundraiser Facials Against Suicide at her business, Heavenly Day Spa, 4565 Pelton Road, Independence Township. Within that time, she has raised $16,000 for the nonprofit Common Ground. The money has gone towards the operation of the organization’s 24/7 crisis text line (1-800-231-1127).
