FROM THE BLOG

JKC GRANTS $100,000.00

January 22nd, 2012

In 2009, just a few months after we lost our son, Johnny, we started the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation to help raise awareness and funding to fight the disease that took his life, childhood leukemia.  That same year we made our first grant to the Texas Children’s Cancer Center leukemia research team for $5,000.  We were stoked to say the least, and went to work to double the amount for the following year.  In 2010 we actually exceeded that goal (x3!) and granted $30,000.00 to help fund childhood leukemia research.  November 4, 2011 marked a proud moment for the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation when we made a grant of $65,000.00 to the Texas Childrens Leukemia Research Team!  2011 was a phenomenal success, and in just three short years YOU helped us raise over $100,000.00 to help in the fight against childhood leukemia!  We can’t thank you enough for helping us reach this amazing milestone far faster than we ever could have imagined.

There are so many people to thank — Jim and the entire Deluxe family, DC Shoes, Gulf States Toyota, SuperCuts, Alex Midler, Ohana Surf & Skate, Supra Distribution, BoostMobile, Bertini & Associates, The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, Standard Skate Shop, Sunday Skate Shop, The Midler Family,  SouthSide Skatepark, ShelMark Engineering, Chad Cardoza, SPoT, The Lynch & Kempner Family Funds, the Funky Cold Cadena’s, Barry Blumenthal, The City of Houston Parks and Recreation, Caleb Gonzalez and many, many, many more.  And a huge “Thank You” to everyone who donated on-line, purchased a t-shirt, sticker, or wristband, entered or volunteered at a contest or roll-a-thon — every dollar, every moment — is humbly and gratefully appreciated.

Together, we are making a difference.  Taking on a disease like childhood leukemia may seem daunting, and our efforts may sometimes seem like just a drop in the ocean, but I think Dr Dreyer put it in perspective when she said, “It’s a really big drop.”  Johnny may have lost his battle with leukemia, but with your help we are going to win the war, and find a cure for this horrible disease.

Thank You!

VIDEO FROM ALEX’S ROLL-A-THON!

May 24th, 2011

Sunday, May 22 Alex held his Roll-A-Thon and raised almost $5,000!  Alex, his family, and friends rolled with him for 18 miles along the Strand in Santa Monica.  Here is the video Alex’s big brother Todd took from the day’s events: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J5LIO8LX

Here is Brink’s take on the day’s events: http://etnies.com/blog/2011/5/23/alex-midlers-roll-a-thon/

Thanks again Alex for all of your hard work and support!  Roll Forever –

ALEX MIDLER’S ROLL-A-THON & Real/etnies contest

May 17th, 2011

This is so cool:

http://contests.etnies.com/alex-midler-roll-a-thon/

SINCE DAY ONE PREMIERE

April 12th, 2011

SINCE DAY ONE:

Thank you to everyone who made the world premiere for Since Day One – benefiting the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation – a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without you! Shop donations are still pouring in – truly amazing support from all over the globe.  Thank you. Roll Forever.

March 12th, 2011

AD – Sirius Radio – Faction Update (FU)

Real Skateboards World Premiere – Since Day One

March 11th, 2011

Our friends at Deluxe Dist. are having a world premiere video release next month, skate shops around the globe that are hosting a premiere will be taking donations at the door for the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation!  An event not to be missed.

AD – Sirius Radio – Faction Update (FU)

Real Skatboards Since Day One Premiere and Benefit

Real Skatboards Since Day One Premiere and Benefit

Rock the Cradle coverage on FoxNews

November 10th, 2010

Here is a story FoxNews ran about the Rock the Cradle event.  The reporter Kate Farmer, is a childhood cancer survivor and is now an intern at Fox.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/health/101105-skateboarding-to-kick-childhood-leukemia

Rock the Cradle for JohnnyKicksCancer was a huge success!

October 26th, 2010

We had a great weekend at the Third Annual Rock the Cradle for the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation.

Together we brought approximately 800 people to the Lee and Joe Jamail skatepark, spectators saw some of the biggest names in skateboarding compete and skate like never before.  The Rock the Cradle for JohnnyKicksCancer has been the largest event benefiting our Foundation, and this year was no exception, bringing in over $25,000.00.  The money raised at the event will be used for raising awareness and increase funding for childhood leukemia research, helping doctors find a cure for the number one childhood cancer.  We could not have done this without the generous donations and support from our sponsors, family and friends.
Everyone came together for one goal and a common cause – to help the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation raise awareness and increase funding for research for the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer – leukemia.
The Honorable James Rodriguez - City Council Member, District I, started the event with a few words thanking everyone for their support.  Councilman Rodriguez also said he cannot wait for his 18 month old son Jake, to one day skate the Jamail park with the big boys.
In addition to raising money for the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation, people also lined up and donated to a cause that is also very close to our hearts, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.  The GCRBC collected 25 whole units of blood, that will in turn save close to 75 lives!   Saving lives and curing cancer — not a bad day, indeed.
Big ‘Thank You’s’ go to the sponsors of the event: SuperCuts, Gulf States Toyota, BoostMoblie, the Hard Rock Cafe, The Houston Parks and Recreation Department, The City of Houston, The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, and The Hildebrand Foundation, Barry and Kim Blumenthal, and Caleb Gonzalez.

To the volunteers: Man, we could NOT have done it without YOU! -

The Houston Parks & Rec guys: Kyle, Aaron and Dee — amazing.

The Photographers:

Rob Hensen, John Hocutt, and Eric Sauseda/SkateHouston – thank you.  I’m still going through all of the amazing photos, I’m so glad you were there capturing every incredible moment.

The Muscle:

Rhonda Gregg, Steve Hirsh, Scott Toth, David Spence, Stacey Hanna, Russell Gregg, Rebecca Gregg, Rene Romano, Trish Bower.

The Roadies:

Joey Romano, Michael Ford, Sara Hanning, Julian & Danny Longoria, Caleb Gomez, Sam Toth, Zane Spence, Sophia Romano, Cooper Orton, Malie and Issiac Richardson, and Ellie Cherryhomes.

The Stars of the Show:

(’cause let’s face it, no one is lining up to see me!)

Bucky Lasek, MiMi Knoop, Sky Siljeg, CaraBeth Burnside, Lance Mountain, Lizzy Armanto, Kevin Kowalski, Bryan Pennington, Sergie Ventura, Zach Miller, Steve Piniero, Ben Johnson, Adam Wiggins, Ken Fillon, Chris Gentry, Lance Childers, Heath Cherryhomes, Glenn Charnoski, Lester Kasai, Jason Espeseth, Jeremy Smith, Jed Fuller, Nick Parenti, Troy Chasen, Dave Donaldson, Dave Duncan, Sasha Steinhorst, and many more.

The Third Annual SuperCuts Rock the Cradle for JohnnyKicksCancer is tomorrow!

October 22nd, 2010

It’s going to be a great weekend for a World Cup of Skateboarding contest!  Saturday, October 23, marks The Third Annual SuperCuts Rock the Cradle for the JohnnyKicksCancer held at the Lee and Joe Jamail skatepark in Houston.  So far MiMi Knoop, Bucky Lasek, CaraBeth Burnside, Zach Miller, Lance Mountain, and Jake Brown have arrived and skated the park in preparation for tomorrows contest.  Gates open Saturday morning at 11am!

10$ entry fee or blood donation.

The Houston Chronicle in today’s sports section: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/7258541.html

The HoustonPress is talking about it too: http://www.houstonpress.com/events/third-annual-rock-the-cradle-for-johnny-kicks-cancer-with-golden-axe-honky-the-tontons-ceeplus-bad-knives-1974660/

Amazing Feedback from the Texas Monthly article last month

September 17th, 2010

Here are a few emails people have sent to us as well as to Michael Hall, the author of the piece in last month’s Texas Monthly.  I’ll post more later.

From: “Michael Hall”

Date: September 14, 2010 8:04:54 AM CDT

To: “Julie Romano”, “mike romano”

Subject: FW: Message from Gwen

hey guys–here’s another great email we just got–

________________________________

Sent: Mon 9/13/2010 3:05 PM

To: Michael Hall

Subject: Message from Gwen B

Dear Mr. Hall,

Your beautifully written article about Johnny Romano in this month’s issue has changed me forever.  I cannot even write this email to you without having tears roll down my face.

After reading (and re-reading) this story, I immediately decided to join the bone marrow registry.  I can only hope that someday I will have the chance to help someone who is suffering.  My heart goes out to this family, and everyone like them, who have to battle this horrible disease.

Gwen

From: “Chris”

Date: September 13, 2010 8:26:04 AM CDT

To: <Julie@JohnnyKicksCancer.org>

Subject: Johnny in Texas Monthly

Julie and Mike,

A couple weeks ago I picked up a copy of Texas Monthly while at the airport waiting to fly back to Houston from Dallas.  Sitting on the plane, I read through the Texas Quarterback cover, and then turned to the story of your little boy.  By the time I finished reading, I was heartbroken and wiping tears from my eyes (and I never cry).

I cannot begin to imagine what you have gone through, or how you have managed to stay so strong.  I am the father of 3 (2 boys and 1 baby girl, ages 5/3/1), and from that perspective I’m unable to comprehend the loss you must feel.

Then I found your blog, looked at all the pictures of Johnny, and in particular read Mike’s post titled “One Year Later…”.  I found myself crying again, sitting at my office at work.  I simply cannot imagine….

Although I have never met you, I know you must be very special people to have endured through all of this.  Johnny’s story has truly touched me, and made me reevaluate the priorities in my own life.

I don’t completely know why I felt so compelled to write you.  Perhaps just to let you know that almost 2 years later, Johnny’s courageous fight continues to impact people.  Perhaps because Johnny’s story shook me up so much, that I just wanted to reach out to you.

What a brave, amazing boy you shared with the world.  I know that our Father in Heaven has him wrapped in His arms.

I wish all of God’s grace and blessings on you and your family, and pray that you continue to find peace and happiness in your life.

Sincerely,

Chris