In Memory of Derek • Our Hero, Our Angel • 1997-2016
Welcome to The Derek Griffitts Foundation
Derek Griffitts, son of Harry and Denise Griffitts and brother to Lindsey Griffitts, was an honor student at Lutheran High School of St. Charles and held a passion for sports. He competed in numerous teams throughout his life including TaeKwonDo, Baseball, Track & Field, Basketball and concentrated on and excelled at Soccer, Football, Wrestling and Golf during his years at Lutheran High School. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Arkansas Razorback fan and had hopes of attending the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. In May of his junior year in high school, he was diagnosed with an inoperable high grade glioma brain tumor. He spent the entire summer before his senior year receiving radiation treatments daily and then underwent an aggressive chemotherapy treatment throughout the remainder of his life. Eleven (11) months after his diagnosis, he passed away on April 2, 2016, just short of his high school graduation at the age of 18.
Derek was a kind soul, quiet, yet with a quick and witty sense of humor, and a friend to all. He is incredibly loved and eternally missed by his family and friends. The Griffitts family is excited and blessed to keep his memory alive through The Derek Griffitts Foundation. Within this not-for-profit organization, the Foundation will provide a scholarship in Derek’s memory and also disburse funds collected to the Washington University Pediatric Brain Tumor Research, as well as other organizations that help children and families struggling with pediatric cancer. The Griffitts family is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the school, community and medical institutions who helped them so much through this difficult time in their lives. Our most sincere thanks and blessings to each and everyone who has made The Derek Griffitts Foundation possible through participation in fundraising events and generous donations.
DG Gives Back
May, 2021
Klara Bulla, 2021 recipient of the DG Memorial Scholarship
We are pleased to announce the 2021 Derek Griffitts Memorial Scholarship recipient is Klara Bulla from Immanuel Lutheran School in St. Charles. She will be attending Lutheran High School in the fall and we could not be more excited for this young lady to receive this $1000 award. She is already an accomplished athlete, scholar and leader and she has the sweetest personality. We know she will do amazing things in the years to come and are excited to watch her growth at LHS. Congratulations Klara!
For more information on the scholarship requirements and application, please click HERE.
December, 2020
Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were still able to successfully hold our golf event and raise money for the organizations we care deeply about. Our yearly disbursements for 2020 included:
* The Washington University’s Legacy Program for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research in coordination with STL Children’s Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. * Friends of Kids With Cancer organization * Derek Griffitts Memorial Scholarship Fund
May, 2020
Bryce Benson, 2020 recipient of the DG Memorial Scholarship
We would like to congratulate Bryce Benson as the recipient of the 2020 Derek Griffitts Memorial Scholarship of $1000. Bryce is the son of Dannielle Welch-Benson. He will be attending Lutheran High School of St. Charles in the fall of 2020. Bryce has demonstrated exemplary leadership abilities and academic excellence as well as actively being involved in extracurricular activities and giving back to his community. We would like to wish Bryce continued success in his future!
December, 2019 Disbursements to our targeted organizations for 2019 included:
* The Washington University’s Legacy Program for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research in coordination with STL Children’s Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. * Friends of Kids With Cancer organization * Derek Griffitts Memorial Scholarship Fund
May 21, 2019
Denise Griffitts with Maggie Thaemert, 2019 recipient of the DG Memorial Scholarship
Congratulations to Maggie Thaemert for receiving the 2nd Derek Griffitts Memorial Scholarship of $1000. Maggie is the daughter of Kent & Beth Thaemert and she will be attending Lutheran High School of St. Charles as a freshman in the fall of 2019. The recipient of this scholarship is chosen by staff at LHS and awarded to an individual who displays qualities that were exemplified by Derek such as, leadership potential, one who is highly involved in extracurricular activities/athletics and overall academic accomplishments.
December 14, 2018
Pat Sheerin, Lynn Sheerin, Harry Griffitts, Lindsey Griffitts, Dr. Josh Rubin, Denise Griffitts, Ashley Hitte,FNP, and Dr. Karen Gauvain gather for presentation of donation
On behalf of the Derek Griffitts Foundation, we were privileged to meet with Derek’s doctors at STL Children’s Hospital to present a check for $10,000 to further their efforts on Pediatric Brain Tumor Research. They were able to tell us some amazing discoveries they have recently made from their efforts and how our donation will have a big impact on their research.
We want to once again thank everyone who helped contribute in numerous ways to our Memorial Golf Tournament which made this possible. Rest assured, this donation is going to make an impact on how brain cancer is treated in the future. Derek, you continue to change lives!
To learn more about Washington University’s Legacy Program for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research click HERE.
To read an article from NBC news about WU’s Legacy Program Research findings click HERE.
May 22, 2018
Denise Griffitts with Finn Blankenburg, first recipient of the DG Memorial Scholarship
We are happy to announce the very first recipient of the Derek Griffitts Memorial Scholarship was awarded on May 22, 2018 to Finn Thomas Blankenburg. Finn is the son of Kurt and Shannon Blankenburg and will be attending Lutheran High School of St. Charles County in the Fall of 2018. We congratulate Finn and his accomplishments and we look forward to him carrying on Derek’s passion for sports and academics at LHS. Most importantly, we are grateful for the blessings provided to the Derek Griffitts Foundation to make the scholarship in Derek’s memory possible.
Event Registration/Sponsorship
The Derek Griffitts Foundation is hosting the 7th Annual Derek Griffitts Memorial Golf Tournament and Dinner Auction on Monday, July 31st, 2023 at Old Hickory Golf Club, 1 Dye Club Dr, St Charles, MO 63304. Directions to Old Hickory click HERE.
This will be a 4-Man scramble event with a shotgun start at 10 am. Check in begins at 8 am.
Please consider playing or a tournament sponsorship/donation in memory of Derek Griffitts.
We are also requesting auction items. If you have an auction item donation, please contact us and arrange for pickup or delivery by July 21st, 2023.
Drone Highlights from Derek Griffitts Memorial Golf Tournament – 2018 Courtesy of Drone Flight STL and Luke LeBeau
Tournament Details:
Cost:
$700 per 4 person team ($175 per golfer, includes dinner) $35 per person dinner only
Registration/check-in begins at 8:00 AM Shotgun start at 10:00 AM Starter kit, snacks, and games included for each golfer Light lunch served on the course Vodka bar, beer, soda and water included and served on the course Buffet dinner included for each golfer after tournament
Games included in registration fee: Closest to Pin (Holes 8, 13, 16) Men’s Longest Drive (Hole 9) Women’s Longest Drive (Hole 18) Deal or No Deal (Hole 7) Choose Your Pin (Hole 5)
Games not included in registration fee:
Skins game – $20 per team (pay when registering or at check-in)
Don’t play golf? You can still be part of the event by joining us for the DINNER and AUCTION!
Dinner and Auction to begin at approximately 5:00 PM.
Registration for dinner-only is located under the golf registration link; NON-golfers MUST have a reservation.
