Ritchie Johnson shared her story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ritchie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me begins early in the morning, diving straight into my mission. I spend time researching renal medullary carcinoma, staying up to date so I can better support the RMC community. My inbox is always full, and I make it a priority to answer emails from patients, families, and partners who need information, guidance, or simply someone to listen. Much of my day is also dedicated to marketing and managing the Chris CJ Johnson Foundation, ensuring that our message reaches as many people as possible and that families facing RMC know they are not alone.
Alongside my advocacy work, I’m also adjusting to a new chapter in my personal life. After the recent passing of my mother and step-father, I have welcomed a dog into my home. He has become a comforting presence and a reminder to pause, breathe, and find moments of companionship amid the busyness and heartbreak of this work.
Every day is full, emotional, and purposeful—but I wouldn’t trade this calling for anything.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ritchie Johnson, and I am the founder and president of the Chris ‘CJ’ Johnson Foundation. My son, Chris, passed away in September 2012 from Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC) just two months before his 40th birthday. At that time, this cancer was virtually unknown — there were no clinical trials, no advocacy, very little research, and absolutely no community for families like mine.
I could have drowned in my grief, but instead I chose to turn that pain into purpose. I created the foundation so that no other family would have to walk this journey alone. What makes our organization unique is that it was built out of lived experience, compassion, and an unwavering determination to change the landscape of RMC forever.
Today, because of the collective efforts of our RMC community, we have four clinical trials, a growing international network of patients, caregivers, and researchers, the only dedicated RMC support group, and a grief support group for families who have lost loved ones. We are raising awareness, funding research, educating the public, and supporting families every step of the way.
Everything I do is rooted in love — for my son, for the RMC warriors still fighting, and for the families who, like mine, have carried a heavy loss. My work is not just my mission; it is my calling.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before my world changed in June 2011, I was simply a woman grounded in compassion. That is why I became a registered nurse — caring for others came naturally to me. I was a mother who adored my two sons and took pride in teaching them the values that shaped our family: honesty, integrity, respect, and compassion.
I was also a devoted daughter who cherished my mother and father. I admired them deeply and would do anything for them. They were my foundation, my guides, and the people who taught me what love, strength, and service truly look like.
That was who I was before life reshaped me — a caregiver at heart, a mother led by love, and a daughter full of admiration and gratitude.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the moment my son passed away from RMC. His loss shattered me, but it also awakened something in me — a determination to make sure his life and his battle meant something far greater than the pain I was carrying. Instead of allowing grief to consume me, I chose to transform it. I turned my pain into purpose, using it as a driving force to advocate, educate, and fight for every family touched by RMC. That’s when my healing began — when I realized that my voice, my story, and my pain could become power.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to one mission for as long as I live: ensuring that no family faces Renal Medullary Carcinoma alone. My belief is unwavering — that with persistence, collaboration, and compassion, we *will* change the trajectory of this disease. Whether it takes years or a lifetime, I will continue advocating for research, supporting families, building community, and pushing for awareness so that RMC becomes a cancer people survive, not one they fear. This is the project I will never walk away from, because it is rooted in love, legacy, and purpose.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the quiet moments — when I can slow down, breathe, and reflect on how far our RMC community has come. I find peace when I’m able to sit in gratitude for my son’s life and the purpose his journey has given mine. I also feel a deep sense of calm when I’m surrounded by the people I love, or even when I’m on a cruise ship knowing that in the midst of everything, I am still standing, still serving, and still moving forward with intention.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chrisjohnsonfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/@RMC2011
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisjohnsonfoundation
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@renalmedullary2011
- Other: email: [email protected]
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
