This family turned tragedy into awareness

On Saturday and Sunday at the Recreation Center Fields, the community gathered for Robbie’s Field Day, featuring events like a kickball tournament, flag football, and relay races. This was followed by Robbie’s Day, an Asthma Awareness Community Fair, held on Monday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the MLK Center.

On his eighth birthday, Sept. 30, 2001, Robert D. Gause, known locally as ‘Robbie,’ tragically died due to asthma complications. Robbie’s Day serves as a community initiative to create asthma awareness and advocate for healthier lifestyle decisions.

In 2004, the first Robbie’s Day was launched in Long Beach, and 2007, The Robert D. Gause Foundation was founded to raise awareness about asthma and educate people on its effects.

“Even though there is no cure for asthma, it can be treated and controlled. Through our foundation, we have been able to reach out to our hometown neighborhood of Long Beach and surrounding areas by educating families about asthma and performing youth outreach services,” Spencer Gause, Robbie’s father, and foundation founder said. 

On Saturday, 75 kids attended Field Day, and on Sunday, the number rose to 100 attendees. The highlight was Robbie’s Day on Monday, which saw a turnout of 600 people. Additionally, over 350 book bags filled with supplies and asthma information were given away.

Gause highlighted that with each year, the events attract more participants and interest.

Over the days, 600 hamburgers, 800 hotdogs, and 1,000 juices and water were served. There were also delicious Italian ices to top it all off. The foundation ensured everyone was well-fed and hydrated throughout the days of the events.

The foundation partnered up with the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center and additionally received donations from Empire Wind, The Cabana, D2E gear, and the CSEA Local 830 unit 7569.

“This day means so much to me. It’s such a huge fun day so families come together. If I can just help one person not go through what we went through, it's well worth it,” Gause said. “Losing Robbie had us all in shock, so we turned his death into something amazing.”

The Robert D. Gause Foundation has more plans for the upcoming year. They will host four group meetings: two for parents and two inclusive of both parents and kids. Furthermore, the Foundation plans to provide a $500 scholarship for students with asthma, providing them with both recognition and financial support.