The father of a young woman who succumbed to brain cancer just over a month ago announced this week that the legacy fund established in her honor has already raised nearly $130,000.
The 33-year-old Seal Beach native died Sept. 25 following a 22-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly brain cancer for which there is no known cure. At the time of her death, she was an executive with Raytheon, happily enjoying life with husband Ben in their El Segundo home.
“Morgan’s laugh was a contagion of genuine joy that embodied the quintessential positivity that she brought this world. May the echoes of her laughter be heard in our hearts to remind us of her kindness, love and the memories we had with her,” he said at the time of her death.
Gary Johnson, Morgan’s father, said this week that while the initial fundraising goal was $100,000 for Morgan’s research fund, that amount has already been exceeded.
“Thank you for your generous contribution to Morgan’s Legacy Fund through UCLA,” he said in a statement to the local community. “Through your generosity, Morgan’s name will now be leading brain cancer research at UCLA, providing hope and strength through science to those fighting,” he said.
“I am honored to share with you that in just over 1 month, we have raised a total of $132,646 with 262 individual contributions – exceeding our goal of $100,000 to officially endow the Morgan Gruenebaum Fund for Glioblastoma Research,” said Johnson in the statement.
He said Morgan’s fund will now live on in perpetuity for as long as UCLA is in existence, advancing research for a cure to brain cancer saving countless lives in Morgan’s name.
“We could not have done this without you – thank you! Your generous donations have realized a legacy that begins to fit the impact Morgan left on our world,” he said.
Johnson said the goal now is to continue to grow the Morgan Gruenebaum Legacy Fund year after year, and “we invite you to do the same by choosing Morgan’s fund as your preferred charity.”
“We will continue to work with UCLA to identify corporate and large donors in the years to come to grow Morgan’s fund substantially, establishing Morgan’s legacy as the centerpiece for brain cancer research.”
Johnson said this week he wanted to send a message to all those who helped in any way. “On behalf of the Johnson Family, your kindness has forever touched our hearts and we will be forever grateful,” he said.
Contributions can still be made by sending checks to: UCLA Neurosurgery Development, Wasserman Building, 300 Stein Plaza, Suite 562, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6901.
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