Loan officer Johnatan Romero is committed to closing the cancer gap.

Professionally, he donates a percentage of his closings to Levine Cancer Institute's special needs care fund through his organization in Charlotte, N.C., called Closings4Cancer. Money raised goes toward patient resources and cancer research.

Personally, he comforts his father in his ongoing diagnosis of liver cancer.

Where it began

In 2011, Johnatan's father, Abner Gonzalez, found out there were cancerous tumors in his liver. Johnathan began to educate himself about liver cancer and find a way to contribute. Abner received an organ transplant in 2011 and beat the cancer — so he thought.

Bike for a cause

That same year, Johnatan discovered the New York City TD Five Boro Bike Tour, a charity his family already participated in, partnered with American Liver Foundation (ALF). He wanted to claim the final spot on the ALF team, but the registration deadline loomed and he needed to raise $1,000 in 30 days.

He started contributing a portion of his closings toward the goal, calling it
Closings4Cancer. Within those 30 days, he raised the $1,000 and was able to bike in honor of his father.

Match for match

After the bike tour, Johnatan continued to contribute a portion of his closings to cancer research. He reached out for matched giving from the Movement Foundation, and it has contributed $2,925 to Johnatan's nonprofit organization in the past three years.

Closings4Cancer

Closings4Cancer gives giant key props to clients for photos to help spread the word across social media.

Closings4Cancer supports Charlotte area cancer patients by donating a percentage of closing commissions to cancer related organizations. Romero donates additional dollars from his closing commission when #closings4cancer is used on social media to raise awareness across platforms. Local real estate agents have been using the hashtag in support of the charity.

Giant keys are given to clients to pose with at closing to bring some focus and branding to Closings4Cancer. It is visible encouragement to "be a part of a greater purpose. As a part of this transaction, you've played a role in helping (beat) cancer," Romero says.

The work isn't done

Johnatan's father Abner's cancer returned in January 2016. He recently completed chemotherapy and is now cancer free.

But Johnatan continues to raise money for cancer research. This year, Closings4Cancer is raising money for the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, specifically to its patient special needs fund that provides resources to patients with cancer.

The organization has raised a matched total of $3,250 this year for Levine Cancer Institute.