Brooke Johnson is the First Woman To Skateboard Across U.S. and she Raises $50K For Spinal Cord Research. It was a 119-day and 3,266-mile journey from Santa Monica, California, to Virginia Beach, Virginia. She undertook the challenge in memory of her late stepfather, Roger, who died from a spinal cord injury, and to raise money for Wings for Life, a nonprofit supporting spinal cord research. Despite the challenges of harsh weather, difficult terrain, and worn-out gear, Johnson finished the trek last Friday, raising $50-thousand for the cause. She carried Roger’s ashes in a heart-shaped necklace as she crossed the finish line, marking both a world record and a personal tribute.