Our Story
Our founder, Eric Newman, fought a rare form of liver cancer when he was just three years old.
To the surprise of his doctors, he beat the odds and has been in remission ever since. But tragically, he also lost two first cousins to pediatric cancer at young ages, leaving him to question “Why me?”
With a background in construction and a determination to do something with his passion for helping kids with cancer, his first fundraiser benefited the local children’s hospital (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA) that saved his life.
From humble beginnings, Roc Solid has grown exponentially since it was founded in 2009, completing thousands of Playset projects and distributing thousands of Roc Solid Ready Bags in partnership with children’s hospitals all over the country.
How the “Rock” Lost its “K”
When Eric was diagnosed with cancer, his dad gave him a small stuffed animal embroidered with his childhood nickname “E-rock.” The toy had to be sanitized by the hospital, and during the process, the “k” fell off.
Eric kept the stuffed animal, but it wasn’t until 22 years later that it played a role in the naming of his new-found passion. “E-roc” inspired the “Roc” in Roc Solid Foundation.
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