Red Tiger students support
benefits for MS, cancer

By Melissa DiPento
For the Times

Six years ago, Jim Roach learned something that changed his life.
His wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After learning this, Roach said he knew he would dedicate as much time as possible to helping people with MS.
"All my passion, I now focus that on MS because of my wife," Roach said.
Roach’s two daughters, Shannon, 16 and Jeanie, 12, are enrolled at the Red Tiger Taekwon-do school on Welsh Road in Bustleton. The two started there, each at a very young age.
After his wife’s diagnosis, Roach decided to start a team that would get involved in the yearly MS Walk that takes place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Over the past six years, the team has seen huge increases in the amount of participants and is now the area’s largest MS Walk team.
This year, something else changed Roach’s life.
His mother, who was very involved with the MS fight, suddenly passed away in February. Roach said this was a very hard time for him.
"She was involved. She would help us get sponsors for the walk and all the sudden she was gone," Roach said. "And I used all that adversity to make this year’s walk the most successful yet."
Roach said that the support he has received from students and parents at Red Tiger has been more than he expected.
That’s why he’s decided to go beyond just helping and raising awareness for people with MS.
Roach said he has met three families at Red Tiger who have been affected by cancer. Roach is planning a cancer softball game in Wildwood, N.J., on July 29. The goal is to raise $1,000 for the families. The game will be played in memory of Red Tiger chief instructor Marcello Cancelliere’s godfather.
Roach said he is proud that many of Red Tiger’s students join him and his family on the annual MS Walk.
"These kids are incredible. Just their work ethic and what’s expected of them. They have to train like maniacs and they still give back to the community," Roach said.
Shannon Roach is currently training for the World Nationals, which will be held in Spain this October.
The walk is held two weeks prior to the school’s biggest tournament, the Red Tiger Cup, in which many participated and competed.
Despite all that has happened in Roach’s life in recent years, he says he can remember one thing that always makes what he does worthwhile.
"I was asked to speak at an MS meeting and I had never really done it before. I was never a public speaker, but I got up there and told my story. When I was done, I had a few women come up to me crying and telling me that what I said meant a lot to them," Roach said. "That really stuck with me. Whenever I feel adversity in my life, I am able to think back to that time and know I am doing the right thing." ••