KATIE’S LIGHT · EDUCATION · AWARENESS · COMMUNITY
Katie’s Light

Our Story

How our love for Katie became a purpose: helping other families understand the risks before tragedy reaches them.

Richard and Katie’s dog Remi visiting Katie’s gravesite, with yellow and white flowers
From grief to hope

Love doesn’t end.
It finds a purpose.

On September 12, 2022, our daughter Katie died from fentanyl poisoning. She was 22 years old.

There are days when grief means sitting with Remi at her gravesite. Father’s Day is one of them. There is no way to replace the years we should still have together.

“I wish I had known more.
I wish Katie had known more.”

Those words are part of why we speak. We want families to have clear information and students to receive meaningful education before they encounter these dangers.

We cannot change what happened to Katie. We can tell her story, ask difficult questions, and work toward a future in which more families get to keep making memories.

— Richard and Kim Johnson, Katie’s parents

A purpose born of love

Her story.
A reason to act.

Our goal is to use Katie’s story to educate, inspire, unite, and ultimately save lives. Through education, awareness, and community connections, we hope to help more families keep making memories together.

Katie’s Light was born from a parent’s worst nightmare, but its future is rooted in hope.

Explore our education work →Meet Richard and Kim →