Turning Tragedy into Triumph

That’s how The Joseph and Terrence Tusan Foundation was born, and its debut event was in Washington, DC in 2005, an outdoor musical celebration called Festival of Racial Harmony and Understanding. There were also pancake breakfast fundraising events during the annual homecoming at Howard University. Even after Kevin and Donna had to add their second son to the foundation’s name, their commitment and dedication to the effort never wavered. Over the years, they have awarded 36 scholarships to help students pursue their dream of a college education. While the foundation has touched the lives of scholarship recipients and their families, Donna said their work has had a reciprocal effect. “We have helped others but they have helped us with their outpouring of love,” she pointed out.

Faith, family, friends, the foundation as well as their involvement in therapy and support groups have enabled Donna and Kevin to not only survive but thrive in the face of immeasurable grief. In addition to the foundation, the work they do in the community, Donna as a nurse at a cancer facility and Kevin as a community mentor/coach/advocate, has allowed them to reach beyond their personal pain to help others.

For Kevin and Donna, just realizing scholarships from the foundation can unlock doors of opportunity for the next generation of college students is worth the effort. Even though their sons’ lives were cut short, these doting parents keep the legacy of Joseph Tusan and Terrence Tusan alive while extending their hands and hearts to young people on the way to college. Donna said, “We want to be the key or step to get these young people to the next level.”

Even in light of two gut-wrenching tragedies that claimed their only children, Kevin and Donna, have emerged triumphantly with a two-fold purpose. They keep their sons’ names and memories alive and provide scholarships and mentoring to college-bound students as they pursue their dreams. Kevin asserted, The Joseph and Terrence Tusan Foundation is their way “to help humanity and to ensure the Tusan name will remain.”