Founder, Eric Newman, was diagnosed with liver cancer when he was 3 years old. But by some sort of miracle, he beat the odds and has been in remission ever since. Eric was determined there was a reason he survived, and has now dedicated his life to helping those children living with cancer. He started a fundraiser for CHKD (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters) where he had been treated, but realized he wanted to do more.
Eric then started the ROC Rock Solid Foundation in 2009. This non-profit foundation has completed hundreds of services that include providing Ready Bags and building Playsets. Their main goal is to give hope to every child and family fighting pediatric cancer.
Eric and his volunteers built one of these amazing playsets for Anna Weissner, a child with cancer. One day Anna and her friends were taken out for a delicious breakfast, followed by somewhere to play, while the ROC volunteers worked hard to build the swing/play-set of Anna’s dreams right in her own backyard. Upon returning to see the great work ROC had done for her, nothing but a gigantic smile came to Anna’s face, and tears came down her parents eyes to see her so happy! She was so thankful for her new place to play!
Watch this segment of Hometown Heroes to witness how Eric and the ROC Solid Foundation pay it forward to these families going through tough times. No family should go through this, but the ROC Rock Solid Foundation will continue to do its best to build hope and smiles for families fighting this horrible disease.
