There are plenty of organizations raising money for cancer research, but not many of them are like the Luke Tatsu Johnson Foundation here in Long Beach.
Luke Johnson was a bright young Wilson High School golfer who lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2016, and his parents created the foundation, “to raise funds to support causes that reflect the things most important to Luke—golf, academics and finding a cure for childhood cancer.”
“Luke was just a great kid and a friend to everyone,” said Luke’s father, Todd Johnson. “I feel like we’re unique and the feedback we’ve gotten in the community is that they feel like it’s more of a local event with a cheery feel to it.”
The Luke Tatsu Johnson Foundation has raised over $356,000 since 2016 and the vast majority of that money has been donated to pediatric cancer research and patient care at Miller Children’s Hospital and Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute.
“We’re so proud of it,” Todd Johnson said of the money raised. “It’s really humbling and heartwarming to do such great work with Team Tatsu in Long Beach in recognition of my son and his memory.”
The foundation is celebrating Luke-toberfest this month with a golf tournament and banquet fundraiser on Oct. 28 at Recreation Park Golf Course. They call it a tournament, but Todd Johnson said they don’t really keep score.
Source: Foundation fighting childhood cancer has raised $356K in honor of Wilson student Luke Johnson