A community's love for Luke
By: Austin Kim
Updated: December 2, 2012
EFFINGHAM-- The slight morning fog gave way to one of Effingham's strongest children. He was not large in stature, but big on toughness. As he rode up in a fire truck, wearing a fireman's helmet a few sizes too big, Luke Johnson knew this was his day. His worst one are not past him, but this day was one to remember for the good things. It would not be remembered by the shots, the sudden feeling of sickness or trips to the hospital. It was a a reminder of how much has he has accomplished in his journey through leukemia.
Communities from Effingham and Teutopolis came in by the hundreds for the 5K race to benefit his family, and more importantly, finding a cure for what kills so many each year.. This December race felt like an early fall day.
Playoff weather. Perfect for one of the biggest Cardinals fans out there.
Luke is in kindergarten, with a smile that no one (or anything) could wipe off. After his ride around, he gets off an is greeted by Fredbird, who came all the way from Busch Stadium just to see the man of the hour. In between the hugs and photo opportunities, he managed to find the starting line. He wanted to run the kid's run, which runs along the block of the St. Anthony Grade School. His mother, Jami looks on, as a wave of emotions takes over.
"It was everything, looking back to the day Luke was diagnosed to today," she says trying to hide her tears. "But knowing we're not alone, seeing all those warriors running. It was beautiful.
Mrs. Johnson knows all about the emotional roller coasters the family has been on. Luke was first diagnosed in 2010, something she could hardly believe.
"I remember just sitting and I went numb," she recalled. "I had to look at my hands to make sure I was there. Make sure I was hearing those words, "your child has cancer." And it is your worst nightmare."
The Johnsons took numerous trips to St. Louis for treatments. The trips paid off, as Luke soon went into remission, until one day in September they received word doctors found Leukemia cells in Luke's spinal fluid. In other words, the disease was back and another battle begun. But through it all, Mrs. Johnson admires her son's resilience.
" I don't think that begins to describe," she said. "He gets his shots. He gets his port access, he doesn't complain. He could throw up and he doesn't complain. His determination is amazing. I wish I could have a fraction of his strength and determination."
When Laura Link, first got word of the second battle with the disease, she decided to get together with other parents to start Saturday's benefit for Luke. Both the Links and Johnsons have children in Kindgergarten and third grade, and Mrs. Link knew of Luke's condition since 2010.
"They are the sweetest, happiest family," Link said. "(Luke) goes through all these treatments and he wants to go to school. He wants to come to this event. He wants to be at church. It really is so surprising. It just makes your think how lucky we are to have everything we have. He has taught us so much."
Link, along with several other organizers received about 59 sponsors for the race, who donated food and equipment for the event.
Michael Wilson is an event volunteer. He helped gather some of the area's best athletes, and Luke's role models, for his special day.
"The kids really stepped up with them knowing how Luke loved athletics and stuff," he said. "I started talking with our kids in t-town first. We had 150-180 high school and junior high kids."
Wilson added teams from St. Anthony, Effingham and Teutopolis high schools canceled practice today just to be at this event. The schools combined to make "Team Luke," something to help them all unify for one cause.
"We wanted to support the cause and let Luke know everyone is looking after him," said Kelly Utz, one of the captains of the Effingham girls basketball. Utz, along with fellow captains Josie Zerrusen and Caitlyn Kaufman, were part of the Effingham contingent that handed out lanyards to race participants. The girls did not run because they had a game in less than four hours from the start of the race.
Effingham is not the only one who displayed acts of selflessness. Teutopolis had a number of squads show up, running or volunteering in some capacity. On a smaller note, its homecoming on Saturday for T-Town, an unforgettable tradition in these kid's high school experience. But many of the girls basketball players and cheerleaders pushed back their hair appointments to volunteer their morning at the race. "It'll get done at some point. But this is important," they told us.
Many of St. Anthony's teams were there, and made Luke a part of the Bulldogs squad last year. In fact. Whether greeting runners at the finish line or actually running themselves, they continued to show Luke he can count on them as role models.
Many of St. Anthony's teams were there, and made Luke a part of the Bulldogs squad last year. In fact. Whether greeting runners at the finish line or actually running themselves, they continued to show Luke he can count on them as role models.
"We gave him the game ball and he got a picture with the trophy (at the regional championship)," said Zach Gardwiner, a sophomore and member of last year's state championship baseball team.
"If we have to go through this, we couldn't have picked a better community," Luke's mother said. "It's breathtaking just to know the community, especially the St. Anthony community, they have welcomed us in."
There is better news for Luke after this special day. He has a bone marrow match, and will get a transplant in January. The donor is from oversees, but the Johnsons do not know the man's identity.
"This man is our angel," said a smiling Jami Johnson. "He is giving our son a second chance in life. When we meet him, there is nothing we can do or say to repay him for what he has given Luke."
The family knows it is not out of the woods until they know for sure the Leukemia goes back into remission. But they remained focused on race day, repeating the word "amazing" when asked about the support and generosity of the more than 400 people that have showed up.
As for an interview with Luke, shy may be an understatement when describing his personality. He likes Fredbird and he likes to run. That is all we got out of it. But he still had a coy smile throughout our little chat, even when he would not say much. It lead us to believe Luke prefers actions over words. After all, he is fighting and making a big statement by doing so. Come January 8th, when he gets his bone marrow transplant, that fight may become easier. Even if it does, he will still be one of Effingham's strongest kids.
