Carlie Jo's Journey Memorial Scholarship Created

SAN ANGELO, TX — A scholarship has been created in remembrance of Carlie Jo Johnson and in honor of her siblings.

Johnson passed away in November 2025 after a battle with leukemia.

A social media post about her scholarship reads:

"Carlie Jo’s Journey Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to honor the strength, resilience, and compassion of immediate family members of cancer patients. While much attention is rightly focused on the child battling cancer, their brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters often walk a parallel journey – one filled with sacrifice, empathy, and quiet courage. This scholarship exists to recognize them.

"This scholarship is awarded to an immediate family member of a cancer patient who demonstrates perseverance and a commitment to their future.

"Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Must be an immediate family member of a current or former cancer patient.
• Must be pursuing further education at either college, university, trade school, or another post-secondary program.
• Must demonstrate resilience, character, and determination

"The Carlie Jo’s Journey Memorial Scholarship Fund aims to ease the financial burden of continuing education, celebrate strength beyond the spotlight, and encourage students to keep dreaming and moving forward.

"Siblings of children of cancer patients grow up fast, love deeply, and learn resilience early. This scholarship is a reminder that their journey is seen, valued, and worthy of support.

"The application opens on January 1st and ends on March 1st. The Carlie Jo’s Journey Memorial Scholarship awards in the amount of $1,000 and for applications or more information, please contact the San Angelo Area Foundation at 325-947-7071 or at [email protected].

"Carlie Jo Johnson was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia in April of 2024. After a 19-month uphill battle, she passed away on November 13, 2025. Her siblings, Hayden and Lanie, never left her side. Her battle was their battle.

"This scholarship was created for students who have a family member that battled cancer and exists to support and recognize a group that’s often overlooked during a serious illness. Siblings and children of cancer patients often carry stress, anxiety, and responsibility while trying to stay strong. They are forced to grow up too fast.

"These children often take on caregiving roles and emotional support duties. Carlie Jo’s Memorial Scholarship is intended to offer recognition of maturity and strength, remove financial barriers, and invest in the future of students whose lives are deeply affected by cancers – even if they are not the patient themselves."