The first annual Lenny Schelin Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament proved to be a success in raising money for glioblastoma research.
Tuesday, organizers and family members of Lenny’s handed over a $28,000 check to a representative with the University of Miami.
The money will be used solely for the University of Miami’s glioblastoma research efforts.
Lenny had surgery and received treatments at the University of Miami.
The fishing tournament, hosted in Stuart and Fort Pierce, honors Lenny Schelin Jr., who lived in St. Lucie County.
He was diagnosed in 2017 with glioblastoma, at just 33-years-old.
He passed away over the summer of 2018, as dozens of local glioblastoma cases in St. Lucie County have grabbed the attention of the health department and lawmakers.
Lenny was an avid fisherman and competed in dozens of tournaments over his lifetime.
His mother, Debbie Johnston, said the tournament was the perfect way to pay tribute to her son, and also try to find a cure for the disease that took him too soon.
“It can only grow. That’s what we’re hoping, that it will grow and grow and if the University of Miami finds a cure or a cause, we will be so excited,” Johnston said.
Plans for the second annual tournament are underway for next year. Lenny’s family hopes to take it out of the state as well to reach more people.