Tough Like Tighe, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families experiencing childhood cancer, was founded by the Rogers family this summer. The foundation’s namesake is Tighe Rogers, the family’s oldest son and a student at Edina High School, who passed away on June 6 from glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer.

“There’s not a ton of [organizations] that focus on helping families, no matter what they are going through,” Tighe’s mother, Tanya Rogers, said.

After Tighe’s death, the Rogers family knew that they were going to start a foundation to honor Tighe’s legacy. After noticing that there were already many organizations focused on cancer research but few that focused on providing families with cancer patients direct support, they decided to dedicate Tough Like Tighe towards direct financial support for families experiencing childhood cancer.

Specifically, the Rogers family was inspired after his time at the Children’s Minnesota Hospital and the connections they made there. During Tighe’s stay, hospital staff gave blankets to the family. According to Tanya, Tighe’s siblings, Deacon and Elaina, were able to take the blankets home in memory of their brother.

“Because we felt so comforted by some of the things that were given to us, we thought we could help other families go through that struggle,” Tanya said. “Whether it be blankets or things like gift cards for places to stay or restaurants.”

The nonprofit aims to convey Tighe’s values. Friends and family describe Tighe as assertive, humorous, and genuine. Senior Coleman Hinkie, one of Tighe’s close friends, said that Tighe always felt like “someone you’ve always known.”

According to Pierre Schmidt, Tighe’s French teacher since middle school, he was “always curious, always funny and witty.”

“Anyone could walk through that door, doesn’t matter who they are, and he would be there to talk to them,” senior William Gremmels said. “He’d be a light if that person had no friends; he would always be there to just welcome everyone.”

Tough Like Tighe immediately received many donations from the community after its launch. As of Sept. 25, only three months since it was founded, the nonprofit has raised over $37,000, surpassing its original goal of $25,000.

The Rogers also plan to host an invitational golf tournament every year on Tighe’s birthday, June 30, to honor Tighe’s love for sports and raise funds for the foundation. Tighe was on both the Edina Alpine Ski and Golf teams, and he was voted to be captain of Alpine Ski for the ’25–’26 school year. Tough Like Tighe also partners with the First Tee, a nonprofit focused on teaching youth life skills through golf lessons. The tournament will be held at Braemar Golf Course, where Tighe loved to train and where his celebration of life took place.

Tighe’s unwavering spirit and positivity extend beyond death with the Tough Like Tighe foundation. At Tighe’s celebration of life, Brent Rogers, Tighe’s father, shared a story about Tighe’s association with dragonflies in his speech. Tighe was known as the “dragonfly whisperer” to his family because dragonflies always landed on him, while butterflies always landed on his brother Deacon. According to Brent, Tighe moved through his life just like a dragonfly—with ease, charm, and positivity.

“Just as dragonflies dart and dance, T.R. moved through life with an infectious energy, laughter, and a witty remark ready for any occasion,” Brent said, “His sarcasm was legendary, and his ability to connect with anyone he met was remarkable.”

This story was originally published on Zephryus on October 2, 2025.