Go Fund Me fundraiser set up for 2015 South Tahoe High grad Luke Garratt

A Go Fund Me fundraiser has been established for former South Lake Tahoe resident Luke Garratt.

The 26-year-old is now recovering in the Los Angeles area after having a stroke followed by open heart surgery. He is facing 4-6 months of physical therapy at a skilled nursing center to regain his strength back.

On March 1, 2023 Luke had an unexpected moderate to severe stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body. He was rushed to the hospital and when they tested for the cause, doctors found Luke had a previously unknown birth defect in his heart. This allowed an infection to spread. After a scary week at the hospital, the surgeons performed high-risk open heart surgery on March 10 and managed to successfully replace Luke's aortic valve and reconstruct his heart from any damaged tissue. Quoting Luke's surgeon, his procedure was, "the best outcome based on his condition."

Luke is a 2015 graduate of South Tahoe High where he played football and was in the band. Growing up in South Lake Tahoe he played Pop Warner Football, SLT Little League, and youth basketball. Many may remember his playing the National Anthem at STHS basketball games on his trombone.

A stroke and surgery are life-changing events and Luke's cousin Hayden Garratt started the Go Fund Me account as the family wants Luke to be able to focus on regaining his strength. Any contribution to this GoFundMe will help lighten the load for Luke in his time of healing. The funds will go towards Luke's hospital bills and other normal costs of living for the next coming months.

As Luke said a couple of days after his open heart surgery, "When you open your chest to people they fall in love with you" (pun intended).

"Luke has opened his heart up to everyone he's ever met and now it's time for us to return the favor," said Hayden.