Almost twenty years ago, Eric Newman was diagnosed with liver cancer. To the surprise of everyone, Newman beat the odds. He was insprired to make a difference when two of his cousins were also diagnosed with cancer at young ages. Tragically, both of them lost their battles. Now, Eric is helping kids with cancer with his foundation, Roc Solid.
The Roc Solid Foundation was inspired by a small Garfield stuff animal, given to Newman by his father. The stuffed animal had the name "E-Rock" embroidered on it. All toys have to go through a sanitation process through the hospital. During this process, the "K" fell off. Newman kept the animal, inspiring the name of the foundation 20 years later. "E-Roc" inspired the "Roc" in "Roc Solid", a salute to the fight these children give when batteling cancer.
The Roc Solid foundation "builds hope for children fighting cancer by providing ways for them to temporarily escape the burdens of doctor appointments and treatments through opportunities to do what they do best-play."
The company focuses on two avenues to achieve this. "Pay It Forward" focuses on the construction of playgrounds in the backyards of children fighting pediatric cancer, for children ages one through eight. Currently, The Roc Solid Foundation only does this throughout the Southeastern U.S. In addition, they also work on Room Remodels and iPad Projects for kids who are ages eight to eighteen.
The other aspect is "Solid Support." "Solid Support" includes Roc Solid Bags, bags that are given to parents who have recently learned that their child has been diagnosed with cancer. The bag contains everything the family might need during an unexpected hospital stay. This often happens immediately after a child is diagnosed. The bag contains various toiletry items, a preloaded debit card, quarters for the vending machines, an Amazon Kindle Fire, and anything else a family may need.
As an additional aspect of Solid Support, The Roc Solid Foundation also vows to help any parent with anything else they might need, such as a lawn care or work around the house. Solid Support is all about making sure that a family feels encouraged and supported through one of the toughtest times in their lives.
Located in the Cheseapeake, Virginia, The Roc Solid Foundation is active in Hampton Roads. In fact, In Hampton Roads on August 26, 700 Club Interactive, a talk-show television show on Freeform, partnered with The Roc Solid Foundation and built a playground for an eight year old named Madalynn. You can check out the exciting video here as well as the reveal!
If you are interested in volunteering or donating, be sure to check out The Roc Solid Foundation.
