Join John Morrow's Fight Against Cancer

Fighting His Biggest Fight

John Morrow is facing the fight of his life. After teaching martial arts to generations of Quad Citians, after winning countless tournaments, raising money for charitable causes, and demonstrating feats of strength and endurance that even earned him a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records, John is now fighting an opponent that even his roundhouse kick or reverse punch can't defeat -- Stage 4 Lung Cancer (John is a non-smoker).

Mr. Morrow, age 72, or as he says, “868 months old,” is a local icon of generosity; a global legend (setting the Guinness book world record for wrist push-ups in a single minute—on the back of his hands—123; a supreme optimist (served as a long-time member and president of the Quad Cities Morning Optimist Club); a gifted mentor (teaching martial arts to thousands) and a dear, faithful friend (with a very dry sense of humor) who has motivated and encouraged tens of thousands.

John is a fighter. The south wall of the basement below his dojo is stacked floor to ceiling, side to side, with a collection of trophies that testify that John not only knows how to fight—but also, how to win.

John Morrow not only fought (sparred) with others but fights for others.

At the age of 55 John used his legendary push-up world record to attract the media and raise money for a fellow optimist, Jim Schick, who suffered from a rare form of throat cancer. John raised money for Jim by rising to the challenge of doing 1000 push-ups, 1000 sit-ups, and 1000 leg lifts in an hour….

In 2010, 2011 and 2012, John continued his 1000 trifecta challenge to raise money for Make a Wish Foundation, Children Therapy Center and Kids Against Hunger to help children who face hunger, experience poverty, who are disabled, or those who have life-threatening diseases.

John continued his “1000 push-up, sit-up, leg lift in an hour challenge” each year as he turned 66, 67, and 69 to fight for those in need (He took his 68th year off because he was hit by a car, which broke his scapula. Surprisingly, the car was not injured when it struck him).

And John continued to fight.

At the end of 2022 (his shoulder injury not yet healed) John once again alerted the media that he would raise money for veteran suicide victims, by doing 22 leg-lifts and 22 sit-ups every minute for 22 minutes. This challenge was particularly personal for John in that his father, a veteran, committed suicide.

In 2023, after recovering from the car accident, John raised money for one of his martial arts students who asked him, “My son, Michael, needs a lung transplant… can you help me?”

Once again John took up the challenge. But this time he stepped it up. The thousand push-ups were done on his knuckles, on the concrete in front of Moline Township. John raised the money to ensure that this boy received his lung transplant.

John’s first fundraising challenge raised money for his friend who had cancer, and his last fundraising challenge was for a boy who needed a lung transplant.

Now, there is a chance for students, friends and community members to return John Morrow's kindness. John is currently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. His medication is estimated to cost up to $17,000 per month. Additionally, the cost to keep John Morrow’s Academy of Martial Arts open, and other hospital bills, not to mention the day-to-day expenses due to his inability to work adds up.

John has fought for us, he has given to the community, and has always provided his friends and students with loyal friendship and many good-natured laughs along the way. He has given us confidence, hope, and the belief that there is a brighter future, a better day and a better us. He says he is going to beat the cancer. Let's help him. Please donate what you can. Let’s fight for John and show him that he is not just a master of kung-fu, but honor him as someone who truly has mastered life.