Scholarship funds

In loving memory of Luke A. Stempa

May 12, 1994- August 8, 2006

Kids With Heart National Assn for Children's Heart Disorders, Inc. is very proud to announce the creation of the Luke Stempa Memorial Scholarship.

Luke was a very energetic young man who loved to make people smile. You also never saw him without a smile on his face! It didn’t matter if he had an audience of 1 or 100, he gave it his 100%. He also loved to play computer games and had a great passion for anything Star Wars and of course, Luke Skywalker was his hero. Luke was born with several congenital heart defects (hypoplastic right heart-pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum) and cleft lip and palate. He endured several heart surgeries as well as mouth surgeries in his young life.

It is with great sadness that I relay to you that Luke went home to Jesus unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, August 8th at home. The exact cause of death is not known but arrhythmias are suspected. This picture was taken at Camp Odayin for Heart Kids in Minnesota the weekend before.

The amount that we are able to give out will be determined by the donations that we receive in Luke’s memory. The scholarship will be available to any young adult with a congenital heart defect. They must be pursuing an education in Performing Arts or the Computer Field, as these were Luke’s passions. Applicants will be judged on an essay that they will be required to write regarding how having a congenital heart defect has motivated them into their desired career.

We would like to be able to give 2- $500 Scholarships by the September 2007 school year, which means we need to have the funding available by April 1st, 2007 so that we can start taking applications.

Luke is survived by his parents, Steve and Gerri Stempa, and his sister, Anna.

Luke will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him.

Many of us who have attended the family gatherings will remember Luke as very energetic, always smiling and laughing and loving to make everyone else laugh. His family has been active members since right after Luke was born. They have attended the Hayrides and hosted the Christmas Party at their church social hall for many years. His parents, Gerri and Steve, have been to many of the parent meetings, always trying to help others through their journey with their children. It is our hope that this scholarship will help make something positive come out of this terrible tragedy.

Click here for information about making your donation to the Luke Stempa Scholarship Fund!

Kids With Heart NACHD, Inc. Disclaimer:

The intention of this information is to give parents of children with congenital heart disorders a place to find information about specific disorders and other support resources. Kids with Heart National Association for Children's Heart Disorders, Inc. personnel are not doctors or medical personnel. In no way should any information found on this site be a substitute to professional medical care or attention from a qualified practitioner nor should it be inferred as such. ALWAYS check with your child's doctor if you have any questions or concerns about any diagnosis, symptoms, or treatments.

Site maintained and created by Angela Brooks and Michelle Rintamaki for Kids With Heart National Association for Children's Heart Disorders a 501(c)3 charitable organization.