Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty
Jane Fondais in a partying mood as she prepares to turn 85 on Dec. 21.
The activist and Academy Award winner told PEOPLE she felt “very strong” before sherang in her milestone birthdayon Thursday in Atlanta with a celebration that raised more than $1 million for theGeorgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential(GCAPP), the teen pregnancy prevention and adolescent health organization she founded in 1995.
After announcing in September that she wasdiagnosed with a “very treatable” cancer,non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Fonda said this week that she’s “halfway through” her chemotherapy, which is “easier than a lot of other” treatments.
“I’m not losing my hair. I don’t feel nauseous,” she noted. “The week when I get the chemo is hard, but then after that, I feel good. I feel very strong.”
Fonda admitted at Thursday’s event that she was “just a little weak from the chemo, but I feel great” as comedian hostHeather McMahanescorted her onstage.
Moses Robinson/Getty
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“I’ve lived a good life. I’ve lived a productive and intentional life,” she told PEOPLE a few days ahead of the event. “And dying is part of life. I hope that I can be an example to young people so they won’t be afraid of getting older.”
“But you just have to take care of yourself, which I do even now. Even the days that I get chemo, I still do a workout. It’s slow and not what it used to be, but still, I’m moving and keeping strong,” Fonda explained.
TheGrace and Frankiestar has worked to provide Georgia youth with comprehensive age-appropriate sex education, among other services, since launching GCAPP in 1995. Just as she did whenturning 80and 75, Fonda used her 85th birthday to shine a light on the organization with Thursday’s event at the Pink Castle, a private residence in Buckhead.
As friends toasted to the birthday girl throughout the event, Fonda was also surprised with video messages from the likes ofChelsea Handler,Stephen Colbert,Jimmy Kimmel,Helen Mirren,Glenn Close,Demi Lovato,Eva Longoria,Diane Lane,Sally Field,Elle Fanning,Gloria Steinem,Tom Brady,Snoop Dogg,Lionel Richie,Harry Belafonte,Nicole Richie,Salma Hayek,Amber Valletta,Taylor SchillingandJeff Bridges.
Dolly Partonsaid in one video message: “Jane, I just wanted to say happy birthday to you. I am not even going to say the number because nobody believes it anyway. I wish I could be with you in Georgia.”
Whoopi Goldbergtold Fonda in another clip: “Don’t need to know how old you are because you are timeless. You have always been a big light in my life and I wanted to make sure that I said to you, ‘Happy birthday. Enjoy and happy joy.'”
Leonardo DiCaprioalso gave a virtual shout-out. “So sorry I couldn’t be there tonight. Happy 85th birthday. You have given so much to the world, inspired millions of people, generations of people to become activists and leaders. You have inspired me and so many others. So, this is just to tell you happy birthday and good health,” he said.
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Ahead of Fonda’s birthday party, she credited her family with motivating her to continue doing the work as an activist, telling PEOPLE: “I just want my young grandchildren to know that grandma did her best.”
“It’s going to be rough for young people, and I just want my kids to know and my grandkids to know that I did my best,” Fonda added.
Fans can celebrate Jane Fonda’s 85th birthday with a donation toGCAPP.
source: people.com
