Johnny Romano was just a kid when he died. It was leukemia that got him. The diagnosis changed everything for the Romano family, except for one thing: Johnny kept skateboarding. He had first climbed on a skateboard when he was just two years old. And through his illness, skateboarding was his release. It didn’t matter if he was watching his heroes, jumping in the fray himself or just talking to another enthusiast, he held onto skateboarding. While his mother watched Johnny’s health fade, she often heard the phrase “childhood leukemia is common.” But she knew “common” doesn’t mean “cured,” and it was a cure that kids like Johnny need.
It’s been three years now since Johnny died, and his family and friends have staged an annual benefit – an annual skateboarding benefit, of course. The Rock the Cradle for Johnny Kicks Cancer World-Cup Contest features music by Golden Axe and DJ Ceeplus Bad Knives, and performances by world-class skaters, many of whom were Johnny’s friends. 10 a.m. Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, 103 Sabine Street. For information, visit www.rockthecradle.wordpress.com. $10 or blood donation to Gulf Coast Blood Center.
Sat., Oct. 23, 2010
This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2010.