For most college athletes, the dream is simple: put on the jersey, win games, and maybe — if the stars align — make it to the pros. For JD Slajchert, basketball was always a probable outcome. But as he reflects on his life today — as a best-selling author, philanthropist, and co-founder of The LucStrong Foundation — he admits that nothing could have prepared him for where his true calling would come from.
“Sports was always a probable outcome for me,” JD tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “But book writing and nonprofit work sort of found me. And when you’re lucky, that’s how your life works out — your calling finds you.”
This September marks the ninth anniversary of the passing of Luc Bodden — Slajchert’s biggest fan, best friend, and the boy who forever changed the trajectory of his life. Luc battled Sickle Cell Disease with a courage and optimism beyond his years, never missing a single one of JD’s games despite his illness. When Luc passed away at just ten years old, JD transformed his grief into action. He co-founded The LucStrong Foundation, which has since raised over half a million dollars and partnered with 15 hospitals nationwide to support families facing SCD. And on September 14 — nationally recognized as Luc Bodden Day — Slajchert continues to carry Luc’s legacy forward.
On the court at UC Santa Barbara, JD was more than just a player — he was a leader, eventually named Scholar of the Year while guiding his team through major wins. The discipline, resilience, and composure he built as an athlete would later become the foundation for his second act.
“The lessons I learned and honed throughout my athletic arc are the cornerstone for everything surrounding who I am today,” he explains. “The before, during, and after preparation is no different for a college basketball game than a big speech or news appearance. That sense of cool under pressure has been incredibly valuable.”
When basketball ended, writing began. Just two weeks after Luc’s passing, JD started what would become his debut novel, MoonFlower — a story inspired by their friendship. For him, the writing process was both cathartic and life-giving.
“It was my coping mechanism and my escape,” JD shares. “There’s a quote by Anaïs Nin that says, ‘Writers get to taste life twice.’ For me, that’s exactly what MoonFlower was — my chance to relive everything with Luc one final time.”
The book not only launched him into the literary world but also became a tool for advocacy. The charity edition donates 100% of proceeds back to The LucStrong Foundation, merging art and impact.
Ask JD what keeps him going, and the answer always comes back to Luc. Their bond was unlikely but unbreakable.
“It’s really the story of how two of the most unlikely of individuals, living completely separate lives, found one another and never let go,” JD reflects. “Without Luc, I honestly wouldn’t be the man I am today.”
Luc taught JD gratitude, awareness, and the power of small moments. “Every interaction we have should be treated with sacred precision. Every second, smile, and laugh matters.”
On September 14, JD spends the day visiting schools in their hometown district, telling Luc’s story to the next generation. “Sharing the gravity of Luc on that day is a very important part of what I do. I promise that will never change.”
What began as a promise to a young boy has grown into a movement that touches families nationwide. LucStrong provides financial grants for families whose children are undergoing bone marrow transplants — often the only curative treatment for SCD.
“The financial burdens these families face are overwhelming,” JD explains. “We take great pride in being able to step in and become that financial backbone so parents can direct their attention toward their child’s well-being.”
The foundation’s impact doesn’t stop at money. Emotional support, hospital visits, and advocacy are central to its mission. JD recently launched the LucStrong Reading Club, a program designed to bring books and creative outlets to children enduring long hospital stays. His vision? To expand it to every partner hospital and even invite celebrity friends to join, turning reading into a shared moment of joy.
And he’s not slowing down. “We’re going to turn those 15 hospitals into 30, then 60. One day, we’re going to break ground on a hospital of our own — treating anyone who walks through our doors with Sickle Cell Disease for free.”
Sickle Cell Disease disproportionately affects Black families, yet remains underfunded and under-discussed compared to other illnesses. JD is unafraid to call this out.
“It doesn’t get the adequate attention it deserves because of the simple fact that it disproportionately impacts the Black and African-American community,” he says. “The racial injustices that accompany this illness are heartbreaking, but they’re also a major driving force for why we work so hard.”
As a National Ambassador for the American Red Cross, JD uses every platform available to him — from NBA halftime shows to Fortune 500 boardrooms — to amplify awareness. “This story transcends color, race, gender, religion, and any differences we think we may have. I feel a great responsibility to share it through every medium possible so that all may benefit from it.”
Later this fall, JD will return to the TEDx stage at Unity Park in Greenville, South Carolina, where he hopes to inspire audiences not just to understand SCD but to act on their own dreams.
“We all have the power inside of us to achieve great things,” he says. “There’s never an excuse to set aside the pursuit of your dreams. We all have to do a better job of making time for what we’re passionate about.”
It’s a message he carries to schools, NBA teams, and companies alike — that hardship doesn’t have to end your story. It can begin it.
Nine years after Luc’s passing, JD still frames his work through one question: what would Luc say?
“I know we’ve done Luc and his legacy right… but I also know he’d expect us to keep going. He’d expect us to change the world. We owe him that.”
As for his own legacy, JD isn’t focused on accolades. “I simply hope to be remembered as someone that never gave up,”he says. “I want people to remember how obsessed I was with the work itself, never the outcome. As long as they remember that, I’m happy.”
From the hardwood to the page to hospital rooms across the country, JD Slajchert has proven that purpose can be found in the most unexpected places. His journey is a reminder that the bonds we form — no matter how fleeting — can shape lifetimes, and that the smallest acts of courage can ripple into movements that change the world.
On Luc Bodden Day and beyond, JD’s promise lives on: to honor his biggest fan, to fight for families facing SCD, and to remind us all that hope and perseverance can grow from even the deepest pain.
“Every second, smile, and laugh matters,” JD says. “Maximize your life and watch it blossom in the most beautiful way.”
