Boy, 9, plans fundraiser for children with cancer
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

Rocky Cagno, 9, gets some air time on a motocross track. The Frost School student has organized Saturday's "MX Kids Racing for Hope."

EAST BRUNSWICK - A 9-year-old township boy is using his skills on a dirt bike to help children fighting cancer.

Rocky Cagno, a student at Frost Elementary School, was so inspired by a fundraiser held last year for a classmate battling cancer that he decided to organizer one of his own.

An avid motocross biker, Rocky has organized a benefit for this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Northeast MX Club in Eastampton, Burlington County. The event is called "MX Kids Racing for Hope." All proceeds go to the Institute for Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders in New Brunswick.

Rocky's father, Rocco, said each rider that day will pay a $50 entrance fee and will bring sponsor sheets just like they would for a walking or running event for charity.

The day will also include a haunted house, refreshments and possibly a Moonwalk, if someone will come forward to donate one for the event.

The goal is to raise $10,000, Rocco said.

The races themselves are more of a demonstration.

"It's not about winning, it's about the cause," he said.

Rocky said the idea of doing a fundraiser came to him last year when his school held fundraisers for a female student with cancer.

"That's how I decided to raise money for this," he said, adding that he wanted participants to be able to raise money and have fun at the same time.

Rocco recalled the first time his son brought it up.

"He said, 'What can I do, Dad?' I said we could try to do this, and we joined a private track so we can host an event," Rocco said.

Some of the children taking part are friends of his, he said, and they also understand the importance of both raising money and awareness.

All of the money collected, as opposed to just the profits, will go to the charity, because the overhead costs are being paid by Rocco and fellow club members James and Tara Ladich, as well as the club owners.

Rocco said his wife, Wendy, and daughter, Krista, are also taking part.

Rocky has been racing motocross for two years now and is an avid fan.

"He jumped on a dirt bike and wanted to get one," Rocco said.

Going to motocross events is basically a whole-day affair, he said, adding that the family will leave as early as 4 a.m. to get to an event. They've gone to various states to race, and the events themselves normally last from 9 a.m. until dusk.

At a typical event, Rocky will compete in two races, each of which has two motos, or sections of the race, Rocco said. The courses include hills, jumps and turns, and the higher someone finishes the more points they receive. The second race offers more points than the first.

Rocky's hobby is also giving him a lesson in advertising, as he has 10 sponsors. Some of them offer him discounted prices on equipment in exchange for the advertising, while others pay him money, Rocco said.

While racing is a way of life, the idea for the fundraiser was a new one, so admittedly, Rocco was skeptical. Rocky was persistent, however, convincing his father that he was serious.

"He spearheaded this whole fundraiser," Rocco said.

For Saturday's event, there are more than 30 riders lined up, all ages 5-13. For additional information about the event or to learn how to donate, call Rocco Cagno at (732) 266-0306.

Rain date is Sunday.