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Author: maria

Chris Schaefer

Did we mention he likes sports?

Chris previously worked in development in the athletics departments for Old Dominion University and then University of Richmond.

“I believe in the power of escape,” he says. “Working in athletics for over a decade, I saw how sports allow people to forget about the stressful things happening in their lives. If we can do that for kids and families fighting pediatric cancer, even for a second, we’ve done them an incredible service.”

Chris graduated from NC State and then received his Master’s from Old Dominion. Now, he’s full-speed ahead leading our development team to engage sponsors and donors all over the country.

Even though some (ahem, his wife) might say he’s a little too competitive, it makes him a great fit for helping us grow our mission!

Becca Kiser

Becca likes to show up at team meetings with baked goods, and we are here for it!

A graduate of Christopher Newport University, Becca is a marketing coordinator who creates social, email and online content to share the stories of our community. What she enjoys most is getting to know our Roc Solid families and finding creative ways to honor them and spread awareness for what they’ve been through.

“I see so much value in being present and willing to help during the hardest parts of someone’s life, and I find it to be an honor that I get to come alongside so many awesome people to be a community for kids and their parents fighting pediatric cancer.”

Her friends say she’s the most “mom-like” person who isn’t a mom. And we definitely see it in the way she cares for the people who are part of our mission!

Kali Abernathie

“My “why” for building is to give these amazing kids and families a little bit of sunshine and hope when going through such a hard time. If I can make them smile and forget for even one day about cancer then it’s all worth it. I do believe that play defeats cancer and giving back to others feels good and makes me happy.”

Aaron Taylor

“My why is to be able to show complete strangers that people care. That people are willing to take time out of their busy lives to come together and Build Hope for a family going through one of the toughest times of their lives.”

Sam Hill

“I find a lot of purpose in giving some piece of fun and enjoyment to families that are in such an unfair situation. Seeing the kids and their families play and just enjoy the moment shows us that our efforts are worthwhile. Also, being involved with the Roc Solid volunteer family has been a major cornerstone of my life, having led to so much growth and so many powerful relationships.”

Les Halstead

“When I finally retired at the end of 2020, I was looking forward to traveling, playing golf, and having time for my drawing and painting. Within 3 weeks of retiring I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Gut check! I was scared and angry, but mostly scared. Not exactly what I had planned for retirement! Nor had I planned to spend the winter & spring in treatment. Thankfully, I got lucky; the cancer was caught early and the treatment has been successful thus far. Then, this past summer, my daughter introduced me to Roc Solid Foundation… I know firsthand what a cancer diagnosis feels like, but I can’t imagine what it feels like to the parents who receive a cancer diagnosis for one of their children. I’m here for the families and kids and I’m truly grateful that I get to help in a small way.”

Ted Quinn

Ted’s grandson was diagnosed with pediatric cancer (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in December of 2018 at the age of three. As a “grand” papa bear, Ted saw firsthand the Roc Solid Ready Bag delivery and its profound impact on his family. Since his grandson successfully completed his cancer treatment in June of 2022, this proud grandfather is ready to pay it forward through Roc Solid Foundation. Also, a cancer survivor himself, Ted wants to help achieve the shared goal of providing a Ready Bag to every child diagnosed with cancer in the country.

As of 2013, Ted took over ownership and operations and is the current President and CEO of Health Research of Hampton Roads, a clinical research facility in Newport News. He and his wife Rita reside in Hampton.

Ted loves being on the water and spending time with his family, including the two apples of his eye, grandson Cameron and granddaughter Madelyn.

Mike Wiegand

He says his worst quality is singing… which really makes us want t