Luc Bodden
High school graduation is a bittersweet time for parents, and harder for some than others.
During the Oak Park High School class of 2024 commencement ceremony on May 23, four seniors committed themselves to honor the life of a late childhood friend, Luc Bodden, who profoundly impacted their lives throughout the kids’ time in the Oak Park Unified School District.
In 2012, Zoe Thompson, Blake Wilt- fang, Holden Heidt and Ryan Kobayashi formed an unbreakable bond with Luc at Oak Park’s Red Oak Elementary School.
Luc, who was said to be a witty, intelligent and compassionate boy, battled sickle cell anemia, a fact that wasn’t known to many.
Despite evading the painful symptoms of the disease following his birth, Luc’s health took a turn for the worse at age 2 when doctors discovered a vein narrowing in his brain, leaving him susceptible to strokes.
At age 7, a successful bone marrow transplant freed the boy from sickle cell disease, but not without numerous complications. An infection finally claimed his life in 2016. Luc was 10 years old and in the fifth grade.
BEST BUDDIES—Luc, far left, with elementary school friends Blake Wiltfang and Holden Heidt. Blake and Holden, plus two other friends honored Luc’s memory at graduation. Courtesy photo
Zoe, Blake, Holden and Ryan were determined to ensure that Luc’s legacy was honored at their recent graduation. They successfully lobbied for a banner that all seniors could sign with a pledge to ‘Live Like Luc,’ symbolizing their commitment to living with compassion and kindness.
“They wanted Luc to be a part of the graduation and in his honor, they wanted the takeaway to be not that they lost a friend but how their friend lived and impacted their lives and the lives of others throughout this community,” said Stacy Bodden, Luc’s mother.
J.D. Slajchert, an Oak Park graduate, popular novelist and screenwriter, and longstanding board member with the LucStrong Foundation, spoke at the commencement in honor of Luc. The boy’s parents accepted a high school diploma in Luc’s name.
Stacy and her husband Matt Bodden, who are residents of Oak Park, started the Thousand Oaks-based foundation in Luc’s name in 2017.
Ryan, who befriended Luc in kindergarten and grew closer to him in first grade, speaks of the enduring bond they shared. He helped plant an olive tree at Red Oak Elementary in Luc’s memory.
Holden thinks about Luc’s selflessness, humor and unwavering spirit, while Blake remembers the energy and quick friendship they shared. Despite the difficulty of losing Luc in fifth grade, the four friends found solace knowing that the boy had a big impact on the community.
As ambassadors for the LucStrong Foundation, the group puts together fundraising events to support families affected by sickle cell disease. Friend Zoe, in particular, has taken a leadership role within the foundation, organizing teams to play in an annual kickball tournament. Luc loved the sport.
Zoe recalls Luc, a member of the opposing team, giving her a fist bump after she knocked a triple during a competitive kickball game that was played on Luc’s birthday one year.
“That’s what it’s all about, creating memories while helping children who are suffering from sickle cell disease,” Zoe said.
The friends are convinced that Luc would have pursued a career in sports, likely majoring in sports management in college, given his love for competition, live sports and spirited banter.
Zoe fondly remembers Luc as a courageous and thoughtful person who exuded competitiveness and humor. She envisioned him as a football player for Oak Park and, much like the rest of their friend group, always full of joy and laughter.
As the Oak Park senior class took the stage on graduation day, the spirit of Luc weighed heavily on the hearts of the four friends, forever bound by their shared fondness for their young companion.
“We loved everything about Luc,” mom Stacy said. “His infectious laugh, his quick wit, his ability to command the room without being overt or even trying to. He was a wise soul and showed the courage and strength to persevere.”
Sickle cell disease occurs in about one out of every 365 African-American births and one out of every 16,300 Latino American births. The only known cure is a bone marrow transplant, the cost of which is extensive.
Beth Neal contributed to this article.
Stay strong with Luc
The LucStrong Foundation is a nonprofit organization that assists families with children between the ages of one and 17 who are diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
The foundation offers grants, parking vouchers and gift cards to assist eligible families meet financial challenges.
Here are upcoming events: pickleball tournament on July 7; annual kickball game Aug. 3; Luc Bodden Day in Oak Park schools is Sept. 14, and a fundraising poker tournament will be Sept. 27.
The foundation, Stacy Bodden says, “has truly saved my life.”
“The pain of the loss of a child is what you could imagine times one thousand. There are no words. But I thank God for allowing us to be able to turn our pain into purpose by helping children like Luc who are battling sickle cell disease.
“We can continue to keep Luc’s spirit alive through the LucStrong Foundation,” the boy’s mother said.
For more information, go to www.lucstrong.org.