Birthday Fundraisers Might Just Cure the Blues: Inspired by Nisha

Photo Credit: Pexels

There’s usually one thing at the top of Nisha Varghese’s birthday list year after year: support for baby safe haven, Breathe of Life. Once again, Nisha dedicated her birthday to the babies in need. And once again, she blew the candles out by surpassing her fundraising goal, reminding us that the birthday blues might just be cured if we use the day as an excuse to do a little good.

East London, South Africa (10 March 2025) — As we get older, we tend to get more and more apprehensive about our birthdays. Some of us conceal our ages for as long as we can, only to be outed with a big banner screaming our real age, thanks to our well-meaning friends. Some might embrace the new era with self-deprecating jokes and an extra glass of wine. And some might ignite the midlife crisis no one was expecting (they’re only 30). Yes, the blues and birthdays are very real things. But what if there was a way to cure them that didn’t involve time travel or tequila?

The thing about ageing is that it’s actually a privilege. Despite the jokes, blockbuster movies still make. Despite every anti-ageing serum we’re sold. And despite our deepest fears.

Recently, Nisha Varghese celebrated the privilege of being alive and ageing superbly.

For years, Nisha has been a champion backing the charity Breath of Life based in East London. Breath of Life is a non-profit that offers abandoned and abused babies a safe and loving space until they find their forever homes or are reunited with family. Six little tots are cared for at a time to ensure they are given as much support as possible.

Nisha has spent years rallying support, raising awareness, and making sure she’s doing whatever is possible to give the non-profit help as they nurture these young lives. Her birthday, then, as Nisha puts it, is a time where she shamelessly uses the occasion of her birth to be of use to her children.

There’s something beautiful in the exchange—as she ages, she gives back to those decades behind her. Year after year.

Nisha recently surpassed her fundraising goal of R34 000 in honour of her 34th, set to be celebrated on 25 March. The fundraising goal has even been increased because of its success (you can find it here), which isn’t just a testament to people’s willingness to help a charity but to the community Nisha has built.

And the whole thing got us thinking.

When we shy away from our birthdays and ageing and the inevitable step closer to grey hair, we’re actually missing out on a chance to do something really good (and a really simple birthday gift option for our loved ones).

We might not be champions of causes to Nisha’s degree, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be champions.

Perhaps the cure to birthday blues doesn’t lie in a magic cream, denial or something else we’ll probably be sold. Perhaps it lies in accepting the privilege of lapping another trip around the sun and then celebrating that lap by helping others along theirs.