In loving memory of Pedro “Javi” Roman, a Valencia High School student who battled Leukemia for two years, Santa Clarita’s Studio 7 Foundation has scheduled a memorial ride almost exactly one year after the 17-year-old passed away in 2021.
Described as “a true warrior and fighter” by family friend Alana Altmeyer, Javi not only touched the lives of his loved ones, but will continue impacting lives with the “Studio 7 Foundation,” an organization created in his memory, aiming to help children through a Leukemia diagnosis.
“He was a one in a million kid,” Altmeyer said. “He had the looks and everything of a cool kid, but on the inside he was the most genuine compassionate person ever. Even when he was fighting for his life, he was texting and telling people how bad he felt for the other kids in the hospital. He was an amazing soul.”
The holder of Valencia High School football jersey #21 passed away on Feb. 1, 2021 and the Studio 7 Foundation is hosting a memorial ride just one year after his passing, according to Altmeyer.
The parade-style ride is scheduled to leave the Santa Clarita Harley Davidson at 9 a.m. on Jan. 30, traveling past the hospital where Javi passed away, to the historic 49ER Saloon in Acton, where food, drinks, live music and vendor booths are expected to be present, according to organizers.
“I don’t know if it helps, but I try to get all of the kids involved,” Altmeyer said. “I just do it for an amazing kid who should have lived and should have been here. I just want to make him proud.”
To learn more and reserve a ticket, click here.
See Related: Valencia JV Football Players Shave Heads In Solidarity With Teammate Diagnosed With Leukemia
“Javi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2019,” Altmeyer said. “Nobody was prepared for the two-year journey that lay ahead.”
Javi entered in and out of remission in a two-year battle with Leukemia that left the community rallying in support, officials said.
Since the early days of Javi’s fight, Altmeyer, the mother of Javi’s high school friend, took it upon herself to update friends on his status and ask for donations, allowing the parents to focus on their 17-year-old’s hopeful recovery.
See Related: Family Of Valencia High Student With Leukemia Throws Surprise Birthday Car Parade
Throughout Javi’s treatment, the community rallied in support of the Valencia High School football player undergoing chemotherapy by showing up to games with banners and shirts in his honor, while also contributing to meal drives and a GoFundMe for Javi’s family.
“And when his cancer returned and Roman succumbed to his cancer Feb. 1, hundreds of classmates, teammates and supporters in the community appeared at his vigil,” read a statement from the Studio 7 Foundation. “Those that attended brought purple glow sticks – a tribute to his school colors and his time as No. 21 while playing Viking football.”
The Studio 7 Foundation, inspired by Javi’s journey and developed by Altmeyer, aims to help families with children diagnosed with Leukemia.
“Parents should be able to focus on their child and not the stress of finances during their fight,” Altmeyer said. “We will also be focusing on the long-term effect and mental health of a family that has suffered a loss.”
Altmeyers biggest goal is for Leukemia Awareness Month in September to feel the same love and support as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with orange objects lining the shelves of local shops in support of those battling Leukemia.
“I’ll be organizing the memorial ride and blood drive for Javi for as long as I can and I hope my children continue to do so after me,” Altmeyer said.
To donate to the Studio 7 Foundation, click here.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to news@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment