By: Kristina Johnston
Over the past few years, through A Race Against Blindness, I've had the privilege of meeting some incredible fathers. "Incredible" actually feels like an understatement.
Fathers who spend their days working, researching, advocating, fixing, coaching, encouraging, and carrying responsibilities most people never see. Fathers who navigate diagnoses, uncertainty, appointments, and setbacks while continuing to show up for their families every single day.
And while dads don't always receive the same recognition, their impact is impossible to miss.
I've seen it firsthand.
I've watched Luke's dad spend years fighting alongside me for our son, and I've met countless fathers in this community doing the same for their own families. Many do it quietly, without recognition or attention, simply because that's what love requires.
This Father's Day, I wanted to do something small.
Not a fundraiser. Just a thank you.
I've put together a Father's Day gift basket filled with some of my favorite finds, including a YETI cooler, camping chair, coffee, grilling tools, and a few other things I thought a dad might genuinely enjoy. If the winner prefers, they can also choose a $500 gift card to Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Bass Pro Shops, or Scheels instead.
Anyone is welcome to enter—whether it's for yourself or for a father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, or father figure in your life.
There will also be a space to tell us about a dad who inspires you.
After reading hundreds of responses during our Mother's Day giveaway, I can honestly say those stories became my favorite part of the entire experience. I'd love to hear about the dads, too. Please share!
We'll keep this open through June 21 at 11:59 PM MST.
More than anything, I just want to say thank you to the dads who keep showing up, keep carrying the load, and keep loving their families through every season.
You matter, and we appreciate you.
With love and so much gratitude,
Kristina, Luke & Tyler's Mum
PS. As a small extra thank you, we’re also offering 10 free entries into any of our active fundraisers using code FATHER10 at checkout. Valid thru 6/21/26. 💛
27 comments
My brother, Brent Dallas continues to amaze me as a father. He stepped up when he was the only parent!
I like to support worthwhile charities when I can. Yours is definitely one of them.
I had an amazing father who was loving patient and kind in everything I did. I was lucky and privileged to call him my Dad. Swimming and sharing our love for music was always one of my favorite shared past times. Love enjoy and cherish your fathers..
My dad was given 2 years to live after, following a bad car accident. He was the first patient to be put on a new heart and lunch machine in Ottawa back in the 60s. Busted sternum, collapsed lung, broken ribs, knees. They sewed him up with the tech at the time. He was left with an incomplete circulation and missing parts (they removed a lung, and bones…). He fell in love with his nurse, later to be my mom. He was teaching French at the time of his accident and needed someone to correct his papers. Mom moved to Ottawa from Shawinigan (Quebec) for a nursing job and could hardly speak English. She obliged. Dad spent months in the hospital, got to know her and asked her to a party after he was released… she said no, her nurse friends insisted she go. He chased her for a while, she eventually gave in (stories differ depending on who tells them). Dad left us last year 64 years later at 90 years old, after 3 kids and 4 grand kids. His life is full of crazy stories; resilience, a main theme. He’s been called the bionic man (plastic and titanium parts), superhuman, and compared to Keith Richards – Dad, the labs will be fighting for your body. I could write a book about my dad, he was an amazing father and human being. Were in not for science and the care he received, I would not be here, nor my siblings or my kids. He lives in all of us, as does mom. What was miraculous back in the 60s is common place today. What some claim ‘impossible’ becomes a step, and eventually a path toward a treatment. Science is exploring, Medicine is trial and error, little steps, bigger steps, and breakthroughs. We’re in this Race with you. I salute my dad on this day, and Steve, and all the fathers out there who keep going!