Cancer sucks and for high school students this diagnosis is forever life changing. With the help of their parents, students now have to navigate treatment and recovery. We know how hard this is and we want to offer students, in remission, an opportunity to receive a scholarship to a post-secondary school through our scholarship program. More details to come.

Cancer is tough and rarer cancers are even more challenging.  They typically do not get the attention nor funding required to improve a child’s prognosis. Cookie-cutter medicine should not be an option for children and the burden, financially, should not fall on the families. The child’s healing and wellbeing should be the caregiver’s ultimate priority.

Abraham is a native of Asheville, NC who is conducting research centered on the effects of chronic inflammation on metabolic function. He attended undergrad at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York where he majored in Life Sciences. After graduation he spent 8 years as an Armor Officer in the US Army, commanding the tactical employment of M1 Abrams Tank Platoons. Upon completion of his service, Abraham entered NCCU’s Biological and Biomedical Studies program.

Abraham and Ashley, his wife, are friends, mentors and god-parents to Johnathan and his younger sisters.

Kariema Washington is a retired Army Veteran with over 22 years of service. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership and has a vast background in Human Relations, Equal Opportunity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). Kariema’s strong interest in helping strengthen families and communities stems from her experience in building teams, helping them become stronger, more resilient, and more effective.

This nonprofit is important to me because I have always had a strong aspiration to be a part of something meaningful and greater than myself. I have also directly experienced the significant burden and uncertainties that childhood Cancer can bestow on families, friends, and communities. Early detection, excellent medical care, and community support saved the life of my fifteen-year-old niece. Unfortunately, I have also lost many other significant people in my life to Cancer, to include Johnathan. At his young age Johnathan exhibited attributes of a leader, he was enthusiastic, patient, respectful, positive, optimistic, and humble. Most of all, Johnathan was a visible example and role model to everyone around him. If I can assist families by sharing a fragment of John’s love and support, I will do my best to do my part to ease the burden.

Symone Groover hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She attended the University of South Alabama, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science. She then returned to South Alabama to obtain her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in women’s health nursing practice and a subspecialty in nursing education. After serving in the Army for 26 years, Symone worked as an adjunct clinical instructor at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Symone is the wife of Elijah Groover and the mother of twins, Aiden and Isaiah. She currently a stay-at-home mom/housewife and is the owner/operator of Fixin’ Crowns Book Club L.L.C., encouraging melanated women to become their “better selves” through the joys of reading and holistic wellness.

Alicia is the Development Researcher of Melanated Melon and the proud aunt of Johnathan McCain. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in a Forensic Psychology Doctoral program. Additionally, she holds a Masters in Criminal Justice Administration and a Masters in Philosophy.

The Melanated Melon Foundation holds a vital place in my heart and life. As a mother and an aunt who wholeheartedly loves and is grateful for both of these roles in life, I do not want another family to experience the hurt and loss we endured watching Johnathan battle a rare cancer like NUT Midline Carcinoma.

The lack of awareness, research, and desire to examine rare cancers like NUT Midline Carcinoma are some of the issues that lead families to encounter the same situation our family experienced. These factors generate senseless deaths of children and the never-ending pain their families have to carry. The Melanated Melon Foundation seeks to bring awareness to rare cancers and assist in any way possible to promote research to prevent future deaths from NUT Midline Carcinoma and other rare cancers.

Jada is the Secretary for Melanated Melon and the proud sister of Johnathan McCain. She currently attends college virtually at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, TX and is studying 2-D and 3-D animation, in hopes to someday work at a major animation studio. When she is not studying, she enjoys helping others, drawing, anime, online gaming, traveling and spending time with family. Jada understands what service is because she served as a Girl Scout for over 6 years and watched her parent serve for over 15 years.

The non-profit is important to me because I lost my brother at a very pivotal point in his life. He was excited about his future and all the things he wanted to accomplish. He was funny, smart and well rounded. This cancer took one of the most important people I love from me and my family and it was so unfair. It has been so hard on our family and the road to accept our new normal has been a process. We grieve him daily and understand that grief and how it affects everyone differently. I could not be more proud to help this foundation become what it will be and keep Johnathan’s legacy alive.

Michael is the Vice-Chair and proud step-father of Johnathan McCain. He has proudly served his country in the United States Army for 20 years and has since retired from that passion to take up the mantle on childhood cancer. Michael is currently a business consultant and teaches project management to large and small businesses. When he is not consulting, he serves as council on the HOA board, enjoys traveling, exercising and spending time with family.

This non-profit is important to me because I have lost so many important people in my life to this disease of recent. Johnathan was a young man who was just coming into his own manhood and he was excited for what was to come. He worked hard and was an excellent son and brother to this family. A young soul taken far too soon, we will never know what impact he could have made on this community and the world. Johnathan showed so much strength and dignity while transitioning and taught us all so many lessons in life and for that I will work hard to make someone else’s situation that much easier. Nothing can take away the pain of hearing a loved one has cancer, but we will do our part to support families in their time of need and to take some of that burden away.

Kathryn Martin is the Founder of Melanated Melon and the proud mother of Johnathan McCain. She has proudly served her country in the United States Army for 20 years and has since retired from that passion only to take up the mantle on childhood cancer. When she is not serving her community, she enjoys traveling, crafting, reading, fishing and other outdoor activities. Additionally, she holds a Bachelors in Multidisciplinary Studies and Master’s in Business.

This non-profit is important for many reasons, but most importantly to bring awareness to rare cancers like NUT Midline Carcinoma, and to put a stop to the senseless deaths of young people who get them. Rare or not we all want our children to thrive and live through these challenges. Johnathan’s path and his future was extremely bright. He was college bound and working hard academically to achieve his goals. Johnathan was a leader, an advocate and enjoyed community service as much as his mom. My goal is to give all children, sick and well, what I can no longer give my son in hopes that they will, at some point, pay it forward.