Skateboarding is packed full of amazing stories - stories of people, individuals who overcame, or who saw something that no one else could. Johnny Romano is one of those stories.
Johnny grew up in Galveston, Texas, far from the Southern California skateboarding rush. Even so, he started skating, incredibly, at age 2. And even more incredibly, he took to it like a fish to water. But In 2005, when Johnny was 7 years old, his family figured out that he had "acute lymphoblastic leukemia," or "ALL". His parents had suspected that something was wrong with the boy for some time, but didn't know what. Johnny went through intensive chemo and surgery, but all the while he and his family pulled together to raise awareness about leukemia through skateboarding. Johnny passed away at age 10, but not before inspiring too many people to count. It's as if a whole life's worth of impact were squeezed into such a short time - but still, the impact he and his family have had are huge. Here are some things that have come from Johnny's life:
- Two months after his passing, The Johnny Romano Skate Jam was held and $103,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish foundation. These contests still continue, and raise money.
- The Rock the Cradle for Johnny Romano annual contest was born out of this - the next one scheduled for October 23rd, 2010 in Houston, Texas. This World Cup Skate contest raises money for fighting cancer.
- The Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation was built by Johnny's parents, and has raised $30,000 and donated it to TCH for research. Childhood leukemia is much more common that people think, and Johnny's parents want to raise awareness, and help find a cure.
Pretty amazing, isn't it? Texas Monthly just ran a very detailed and interesting story on Johnny Romano - it's called About a Boy. You can read it on their website. They also made a great documentary-style video called Roll Forever. It's shocking when you think about the impact one life can have, even if it's "just" a kid. It makes you think.
If you know of an inspirational or powerful story involving skaters, leave a comment below, or e-mail me about it!
Comments
Bill Mohler….he’s definently not a skater,but is still considered a skater. He basically left a 4,000 dollar a week job to start a christian skate ministry after he noticed skaters getting kicked out of churches.Today at 50 years old he still runs heavens skates…
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Thanks for helping to get Johnny’s story out, and keeping his legacy alive. He was a really cool (and very brave) kid, and he packed a lot into a short life.
Johnny and I were close and i regret to see him go. We both went to the same school and one day i finnaly talked to him he was pretty cool and he had told me to meet him at his house. It turns out he had been living across the street from me and he ended up introducing me to skateboarding. Within a week i was doing ollies and going up his ramp.All i can say to add to this is that you were an inspiration to me and i wish i was in that hospital right next to you. I was proud to be your best friend and thank you for what you have done for me. R.I.P Johnny see you when i get there i know your killing it heaven cya on the other side man
johnny romano was a true skater at the heart. just because he was a young kid and didnt skate as long as most of us he was still a skater. many pros did alot for johnny.
I went to school with him in 1st grade and i think part of second and his whole story is soo inspirational! In first grade i thought he was the sweetest thing and i had a huge crush on him!;) so I’ve kept up with everything since then, and just recently I found my first grade memory book and I am just amazed how he was a talented skater, and in general a super sweet kid!:) whenever i read the J-Grom blog made b his parents and i read about that night, i put myself there and i (like mason said) wish i was there right next to him, and personally wish I was right there and I know that he’s skating on the ramps of heaven.<3 I love you, Johnny:)
Johnny Romano! I was 14 when he passed away and I still think about him. He lived in my neighborhood, and that kid was legit. Ive skated at his jam twice. You should definently support it.
This was such beautiful and inspirational story. I first read this in a Texas Monthly article and walked away from it feeling a need to give and help out with this organization/foundation. Tomorrow will be the first time I will be able to do so at the Long Board Surf Classic in Galveston October 1, 2011. Ohana Surf and Skate in Galveston, Texas and many other sponsors will be setting this off with what I am sure to be an overwhelming response to such a great event. I am looking forward to educating my son (who loves to surf and skate) about this illness and to show him there are ways to give back and to make the best with the time we have. Johnny will always be remembered in our hearts and celebrated! Roll on forever J.R.
Love Li-
I bought a Johnny Romano deck a while back. I had gone into a shop and was looking at many options and this deck just caught my eye. I liked the graphic and that was really it. I’ve held onto it while wearing out another one and am ready to put to to use. I became curious about who Romano was and figured I’d check him out online… see if I could check out a few videos. What I discovered is absolutely inspirational and cooler than anything I could have expected to find. It’s quite possible I’ll never want to skate another deck. Just amazing.