As told by Rob’s mother, Kathy

My son Robert Rogers aka “Big Rob” was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in June of 2011 at Johns Hopkins. He was 20 years old, but his cancer was a childhood cancer. At the same time my younger son was being treated at Children’s Hospital for T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in Washington DC. We were scared and didn’t know what we were going to do. The Ronald McDonald House gave us a place to stay and the love and support that we needed.

Robert was 6’4 about 240-260 lbs. He had learning disabilities and was more like a 10-year-old than a 20-year-old. But he really wanted to be grown up. The staff would find little things for him to help with so he felt needed and useful. The little kids that were staying there loved to play with him and climb on him. He was a big teddy bear. Days he didn’t feel well from treatment the little ones would look for him and the staff would ask if he was ok. The amount of kindness and love we received from everyone is something I will never forget.

For the first Red Shoe Shuffle, Big Rob was still alive, but he could not physically participate because of his treatments. I walked the Shuffle on his behalf.

Robert passed away March 20, 2013. I have walked almost every Red Shoe Shuffle and raised money for the house in Big Rob’s name. Our team is Big Rob’s Mob. Some years I may be the only member and other years others join me. I do it because the love and magic of this place is something that should continue to be there for all families that need it! I do it because it helps me keep my son’s memory alive. I do it because if he was here I believe he would do it for all of the children.

When Robert passed away the amazing ladies from the Ronald McDonald House came to his funeral. Ms. Sandy spoke and they all wore Green Bay Packers scarves they had made. That was his team and they wore them for him.

I have made lifetime friends from our experience staying at RMH including staff and other parents. I’m not fast, I can’t run it, but as long as my body let’s me I will be proud to Shuffle for The Ronald McDonald house in memory of my Robert Rogers aka Big Rob.

Kathy Brooke

Aka Big Rob’s Mom