News

Mother’s mission to bring awareness to rare kidney cancer

  • June 14, 2021

After Ritchie Johnson’s son died of a rare cancer, she started The Chris “CJ” Foundation, to honor her son and create awareness for Renal Medullary Carcinoma.

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High Intensity Exercise- A Factor For Renal Medullary Carcinoma

  • April 04, 2021

D.D. Shapiro, M. Soeung, +22 authors P. Msaouel Published an article in medRxiv 2021 that renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) predominantly occurs in individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT). We found that patients with RMC more frequently participated in high-intensity exercise than matched controls, and renal medullary hypoxia significantly increased predominantly in the right kidney of […]

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A Mother’s Love For Her Son

  • March 03, 2021

March 11, 2019, I had the pleasure of speaking to Jalana Wheeler. She was a mother of one son and was desperately seeking answers regarding renal medullary carcinoma (RMC).  Caleb was just 9 years old when he was diagnosed with this rare, aggressive and often fatal form of kidney cancer. Jalana was a mother on […]

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Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation Inc. 2020 Annual Report

  • February 20, 2021

Our Vision:To eliminate healthcare disparities and find a cure for renal medullary carcinoma (RMC). Our Mission: to be a global community dedicated to creating awareness and alleviating healthcare disparities for patients diagnosed with RMC through advocacy, education and research Since the foundation was established in 2013, our advocacy efforts continues through : Awareness, Education, and […]

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Rare Kidney Cancers: Renal Medullary Carcinoma

  • January 18, 2021

Pavlos Msaouel, MD, PHD is Assistant Professor at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center located in Houston, Texas. He has worked tirelessly in researching and understanding renal medullary carcinoma (RMC). He is known worldwide as one of the most experienced physicians in treating patients diagnosed with RMC. He presented a seminar on Rare Kidney Cancers January […]

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2021 Virtual Keepin’ It Renal – 5K Fun Run/Walk

  • January 08, 2021

We are inviting all runners and walkers around the world to join the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation, Inc. (United States) and Ricky Casey Trust Foundation (United Kingdom) on March 27, 2021 for the 8th Annual Keepin’ It Renal Global Virtual Run/Walk. The virtual event allows you to complete your 5K anywhere and at your own […]

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Meet Nicolas Alfaya

  • October 07, 2020

We are a happy family that lives in Medellín Colombia: My name is Diana (mother) and my husband is Daniel. Together we have a daughter, Laura (17 years old) and a son, Nicolás (12 years old), and last but not least we have a dog name Candela. We want to share with the world how […]

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Unconscious Bias Campaign

  • August 10, 2020

Unconscious biases are learned stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, deeply ingrained, universal, and able to influence behavior When Chris Johnson was formulating his vision for the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation Inc., he did not want to be perceived as a cancer patient, or as a victim, or pitied in any way. He wanted to be […]

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Joyce Garner Tackles RMC With Faith & Determination

  • July 20, 2020

Joyce was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) at the age of 43. She lives in North Carolina with her son, DJ and daughter, Nevaeh. Joyce continues to have a positive outlook on life and is determined to beat this beast called RMC. As she states at the end of her story, “cancer has shown […]

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Feninna-Aikaterini Fights RMC – Written by Lois Vlahava (Mother)

  • July 20, 2020

Feninna lives in Volos, Greece with her parents, Marios and Lois and her younger brother, Filippos (Philip in English).  Prior to receiving the cancer diagnosis, Feninna was outgoing, friendly and very much into sports. I can see in her eyes that she is determined to beat this cancer. My girl used to be a track […]

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