John's Story

A second life.
A new purpose.

John Longo's journey through addiction, homelessness, cancer, recovery, service and the decision to turn a second chance into an opportunity for someone else.

Read John's Story Help Someone Take a Step

Documented medical story: Hackensack University Medical Center published John's cancer treatment, recovery, cancer-free status, volunteer service at JBJ Soul Kitchen and his statement, "I received a second life."

Before the Turning Point

Life began to unravel.
Hope went with it.

There was a time when John Longo's life looked very different. He had built a career, relationships, responsibilities and a future.

John has shared that depression deepened, his drinking increased, and alcohol eventually became a serious problem in his life. Conflict with family grew. Stability disappeared. For a period, he experienced homelessness.

Then came a DUI. Emotionally, John reached a place where he felt as though he did not want to continue living.

He was losing more than control of his circumstances. He was losing hope.

John during an earlier chapter of his life — An earlier chapter in John's life, before the current season of recovery, service and renewed purpose.

The Cancer Diagnosis

Then came another fight.
This one was for his life.

John began experiencing persistent pain in the back of his mouth. At first, he believed it was a dental problem. Even after a wisdom tooth was removed, the pain remained and a lump developed in his neck.

Doctors at Hackensack University Medical Center identified squamous cell carcinoma at the base of his tongue. Cancerous tissue was also found in his tonsils and throat, and cancerous lymph nodes were removed from his neck.

His treatment included transoral robotic surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

"I received a second life."

One More Chance

Treatment worked.
Then rebuilding began.

Hackensack's patient story says John recovered from surgery, completed chemotherapy and radiation, and was cancer-free a little more than a year after surgery.

John before his current rebuilding chapter — Addiction, depression, instability and homelessness became part of John's life before recovery took hold.

John wearing a Soles Saving Souls shirt — A later chapter centered on recovery, service, responsibility and helping others move forward.

$John helping a child with shoes$

Giving Back What He Received

A second chance should become
someone else's opportunity.

Surviving cancer and surviving the destructive chapter surrounding it left John with a different understanding of life.

He wanted his second chance to mean something.

Hackensack's published story records his volunteer service at JBJ Soul Kitchen and his desire to give back after receiving another opportunity at life.

When you have been helped back onto your feet, you begin looking for someone else who needs a hand.

Thirty Years Later

An old friend.
An unexpected reunion.

Fulfill's People's Pantry

John walked into Fulfill's People's Pantry and saw someone he had not seen in roughly thirty years: old friend and former business associate John Baldino.

Two men with different scars

John Longo shared his journey through addiction, cancer, treatment, recovery and giving back. John Baldino shared his own difficult seasons, the rebuilding of Universal Closeouts and the vision behind Christ Inc. TV.

Business with purpose

The reunion moved beyond nostalgia. They began working together with a belief that business, media, inventory and relationships could be used to help people still fighting their own battles.

Then came July 4th

At Huddy Park, John and John met Mark Mossop and listened to his story of homelessness, recovery, housing barriers and his desire to work.

From roses to relationship

Battery-powered light-up roses from Universal Closeouts became an opportunity. Mark sold them, used the money to eat, then called and asked whether there was anything else he could sell.

From inventory to mission

Thousands of pairs of shoes sitting in inventory began to look different. They could become dignity, protection, readiness for work, conversation, relationship and opportunity. That realization helped give shape to Soles Saving Souls.

Why John's Story Matters

Not simply survival.
Redemption with a purpose.

John's story is not simply about cancer.

He battled addiction. He lost stability. He faced cancer. He entered recovery. He rebuilt. Then he chose to give back.

His cancer story says life can be restored.

His recovery story says people can change.

His service says a second chance should become someone else's first opportunity.

John's Message

"I received a second life.
Now I want to give back what I received."

That statement captures the heart of his journey.

Not perfection. Redemption.

Not pretending the past did not happen. Using the past to help someone else survive theirs.

When John meets someone struggling with addiction, he does not have to speak from theory. When he meets someone without stable housing, he understands what instability can feel like.

Keep walking. Your story may not be finished. Mine wasn't.

$John during the current chapter of his life$

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A second life.A new purpose.

Life began to unravel.Hope went with it.

Then came another fight.This one was for his life.

Treatment worked.Then rebuilding began.

A second chance should becomesomeone else's opportunity.

An old friend.An unexpected reunion.