FILL THE GAP

FILL THE GAP

We believe that fighting cancer is not only a physical battle but also an emotional battle that can be helped through loving support. Unfortunately, most pediatric cancer support programs age out at 18, leaving a gap for college-aged (18-24) young adults fighting cancer. Nik found this gap and with your help, we can fill it!

Help fund one of our wishes in waiting. We'll keep you up to date on the joy you delivered.

John

fighting Round Cell Sarcoma


WISH: Meet Tyler Perry
Well , Before my life was normal , a normal Hi Jay how was your day at school today from my mom and my response would be all of the excitement from that entire school day , I've had many Fun arts and drama classes that really captured my heart I'm actually a member of JC Casablanca's my parents actually put me in acting classes , Tyson Beckford actually gave me an acting approval but of course he said I was no model (I guess Mr. Beckford couldn't stand the competition I come with LOL) , I used to even go on boat rides with my Family and girlfriend we use to just be able to frolic and play on our property with not one concern. I worked proudly to support myself at the age of 18. I fought to graduate with honors and without any downtime committed to enrolling in college the following semester... now we're here but things are looking up!!!

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would love to meet Tyler Perry!

Braden

fighting ALL


WISH: UFC Las Vegas
Before I was diagnosed I was a sophomore in college, working a part time job, active in church and hanging with my friends.
After I was diagnosed in 2021, everything changed. I have spent more time in the hospital in the last 2 years than I have at home. I have also been immunocompromised the entire time, which means I have been isolated from friends and family. I have been unable to travel or even go out to eat.
I recently underwent a bone marrow transplant. I am recovering now and working on getting stronger.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would like to go to a UFC fight in Las Vegas. One of my favorite things to do when I was in the hospital was watch UFC fights. It always gave me something to look forward to and helped past the time. I know experiencing this in person would be great!

Racheli

fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma


WISH: Travel
For at least three years before my diagnosis, I felt that something was off. Since march 2020, I have suffered from many painful physical symptoms that stopped me from living a productive and happy life. All I remember is going from Dr to Dr being mis or undiagnosed and being told everything was in my head. my outings and fun nights out quickly decreased and the hopeless days wondering what is wrong with me became often. It was very difficult for me to go to school, go out, and even do household chores. As fall 2022 came, my symptoms became much more noticeable. When I was finally diagnosed in july 2023, I felt validated. life since being diagnosed is a roller coaster. The week that I get treatment, I am in bed for 4 days due to the disturbing and traumatizing side effects of the chemotherapy. I am unable to communicate or be mobile. The week after, I recovered and am able to go out and catch up with friends or family. treatment is very rough for me but i always hold onto my faith and hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I try to be more grateful for my life and all the blessings in it.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would love to go out of state. I feel like going away would give me a much needed refresh and somewhat of a restart. Being in a different environment than where I am currently, where I get treatment, would allow me to come back and view it as less daunting. I have wished to go away for a long time and I hope I will be able to do that soon!

Angel

fighting Pseudomyogenic Hemangioendothelioma


WISH: LA Chargers
Before being diagnosed, I was a senior computer science student at the University of Maryland, College Park. I was very active: I loved to go to the gym, take walks on campus and go out with my friends. I was on track to graduate in the spring 2024 semester; however, I must take a gap semester or two to ensure I am 100% healthy to finish my college degree strong! When I was diagnosed, I was in the middle of my semester. I was in a considerable amount of pain, due to the fact that the cancer was on my foot. I was constantly seeing doctors, receiving various scans, and feeling uncertain, all while completing my semester! Through the help of my support system, I completed my semester strong. I recently had a below the knee amputation to dispel the cancer in my foot, and will be undergoing oral chemotherapy soon to take care of potential cancer cells that made its way in my lungs. Thus, I've been taking it easy, and resting most days.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
The wish I am thinking about is being able to attend an LA Chargers regular season home game. I hope to be able to meet some of the players, and possibly sit closest to the field. I have this wish in mind because ever since I was a kid I have been a chargers fan! I've never been to an NFL game either, so this would be my first time as well!

Mateo

fighting B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia


WISH: Neymar Jr.
My name is Mateo and I am originally from Ecuador. I am currently living in the US with my father, step-mother, and half-sister. In 2019 I was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and received 2-years of chemotherapy treatment. I had been off of chemotherapy a little over a year when I found out that I had relapsed. I was hospitalized 2/7/2024 and am currently still in the hospital. I will need to get a stem cell transplant due to my relapse.

I was working as a soccer coach before my relapse and unfortunately cannot work right now. I hope to get back to coaching once I am out of the hospital.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I have dreamed about meeting Neymar Jr. since I was 10-years-old. He has come to the US to play but I have not been able to watch him play because the tickets were too expensive. It would be great to get to meet him or to watch him play. It would even be great to get a video from him or to get some signed memorabilia. Thank you so much for considering my wish.

Makayla

fighting Grandulosa Cell Tumor of Ovary


WISH: Disneyland
I graduated high school in June of 2023. I had so many plans. It started with my summer job. I worked as a camp counselor to underprivileged children at a Salvation Army Camp. It was to be the first time I lived away from home. I was nervous but very excited. People came from all over the world to work here. Here I was, having the best summer of my life. The weeks were spent working and building the kingdom of God. The weekends were about my friends and family. I would go on hiking adventures with my new found friends. We spent way too many hours at the beach laughing till we cried. I was sad to see summer go but new adventures awaited. I started college at Fresno City College. I am a biology major with plans on one day going to med school. It had been my dream since I was a kid. I had the great privilege to play water polo there. This was going to be my season. I started strong! Classes were going well, I loved learning about science and math. I sat in the front row and it seemed like I was the only one to laugh at the teacher's jokes. I love science. Water Polo was challenging and I learned new positions. For the first time in my life I played goalie. I am so proud of the player I was becoming. It all changed in a moment. I had been having pain in my abdomen but I'm an athlete and I endure. I had changed my diet, lost weight and was at a physical peak. I went in for a checkup. That's all, just a simple checkup. My life changed in a matter of hours.

I've tried to be positive but the physical aspects of chemotherapy were overwhelming. I had all these plans. This was not supposed to be my life. I had to drop out of college because I could no longer attend classes. The hardest thing was I had to say goodbye to playing water polo. It was devastating! After being diagnosed, my life became doctor visits and hospital stays. I was so sick, nausea left me crippled and unable to function. Some days I would be released from the hospital, just to return a day or two later. I became withdrawn from my friends and a family. I hated the the way I looked. At one point I was crying nonstop, everyday. I no longer saw a future. How was I supposed to move forward? I struggled to communicate my despair.

Today, I've completed my last treatment and am waiting for my scans. I still have a lot of questions. How do I move forward? How do I trust my body? Some days are harder than others. I've started to set small goals. I've started to hang out with my friends and family again. Other days I struggle with thinking and walking. I know it will get better. Or at least that is what everyone says.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I have always loved Disneyland. We used to go there every week when I was little. I must have owned every princess dress. My mom would doll me and my siblings up and off so we went on an adventure. By all means we were a Disney family. It has always been such a wonderful place for me and my family. I think that's why I wish to go to Disneyland. I remember a time we would go to Goofy's Kitchen and dance with the characters (for every birthday). We would eat all the snacks we could. We would play games while we stood in line. I was always so excited to see the parade. I know every song and movie. Afterall, I dreamed of being a princess.

Shir

fighting ALL


WISH: Vacation
Shir is a 24yr female who was working in a law office in admin and dating her boyfriend prior to her diagnosis. Since her diagnosis, she has lost her job and has had many life changes. She has had to have a Bone Marrow Transplant and is now very dependent on family - which is contrast to her previous independence.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
Vacation with her boyfriend to help her heal mentally. She is experiencing a mental exhaustion from her treatment and transplant

Lexi

fighting Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma


WISH: Maui
I am a freshman at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. My major is education, and I want to be a middle school math teacher. My passion is hanging out with and mentoring Christian teen girls.

While at school, my favorite activities to do were camping out on the school field to get the best seats for GCU basketball games. I love country swing dancing, and I was a part of a country swing dancing club called American Kids. I also enjoyed attending worship nights and bible studies with my friends on campus.

I was very active before my diagnosis. I loved to go hiking and cliff jumping. I also have the bug for travel and was signed up this summer to be a part of a mission trip to serve in Spain teaching English to kids and telling them about Jesus. Additionally, I volunteered at a local soup kitchen called St. Vincent's as well as participated in a program called Canyon Kids where I mentored local low-income kids. As you can see I am very social and love being around people and making friends.

I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma when I came home for Christmas break. I thought I was sick and went to urgent care where they prescribed me antibiotics for a sinus infection. However, I didn't get better, I got worse. My lymph nodes in my neck and armpits started to swell and my face was swollen twice its size. I also had shortness of breath. The doctors kept saying I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics but after three weeks of worsening symptoms, they finally did a chest x-ray and found a tumor pressing on the main artery to my heart. I was admitted to the hospital immediately and after many biopsies and CT scans, I was diagnosed.

Since my diagnosis, my life has been put on hold. I am unable to go back to school as I needed to start chemo immediately. Every 3 weeks I go to the hospital to receive chemo for 5 days. Then I have 2 weeks to recover my counts. My treatment will consist of 6-8 chemo sessions. I am now immunosuppressant so I am not allowed to be in large crowds of people. I can have a few friends come to my house to see me as long as they wear a mask and we social distance ourselves. Since my chemo treatment, my hair has fallen out and I am very weak. I don't have the energy that a normal 18-year-old has. I spend my days sleeping a lot and going to clinic appointments. It has been hard to stay positive as sometimes I feel like I am stuck in this cancer prison.

My family has been my rock! My mom took a leave of absence from her job to care for me and transport me back and forth for my appointments. She even sleeps on an air mattress on the floor while I am in the hospital during treatment. My dad and younger brothers provide me with comic relief, especially about my bald head. My strong faith in God is getting me through this difficult diagnosis. My church family and community have been amazing at surrounding me with love, support, dinners, cookies, and anything I need.

Even though my life is not what I want it to be right now I am trying to remember that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Through this process I am learning that you don't know how strong you are until you have no other choice than to be strong.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
My wish is for my family and I to go on a trip to Maui. I want my family to go on this trip with me because they are walking this cancer journey with me. My brothers have had to sacrifice sports and activities because my parents were busy in the hospital with me. My mom has had to take a leave of absence from her job and my parents have been my biggest support. This trip would give us all something to look forward to once my treatment is over.

Jocelyn

fighting ALL


WISH: Hawaii
My life before my diagnosis was pretty normal but I couldn't have asked for anything better. I was a very active 21 year old that was living at home. I am the oldest daughter, with 2 blended families with a total of 9 siblings combined, so I guess you could say I have a really big family but life at home was never boring. I was going to Stanislaus State University full time, which is about a 30 minute commute from Merced, my hometown. I was studying Chemistry/Biology hoping to get into the Medical Field one day. I also worked at the local coffee shop, Dutch Bros Coffee, as a barista. Some things I enjoy doing in my free time are going to the gym, playing soccer with my little sister, as I grew up playing soccer until high school and she just started playing, and watching sports! I love watching really any type of sports but I would say my favorite is football-Go Niners, baseball(Giants), and soccer (USA). Also, I really enjoy going on trips, going to the beach, and going to concerts with friends. Really anything and everything I could do, I would without hesitation. I was really living my best life and getting use to my everyday schedule.
During finals week, I started feeling really tired. I didn't think anything of it just as a lack of sleep from studying so much. Then throughout the week I started developing more symptoms such as pounding headaches, shortness of breath, and one day I came home to my mom noticing my lips were super pale. From that moment, my mom noticed our doctor who ordered lab work. It took a couple days to get that done but my only focus was my finals. After a few days, I had decided I wanted to go to my friends graduation no matter how I was feeling. That day, I woke up from a nap, got ready, and took some ibuprofen to get myself through the day. During the ceremony, is when the doctor had called with the results. He told me I needed to go to the ER immediately, as my mom was so worried she came to pick me up. My hemoglobin was at a 4.1, and the normal range is 12-16, so mine has been extremely low. I was then admitted to the local hospital where I received 3 blood transfusions within the same night. Even the nurses had never seen anything lower than 7 and was surprised I was still walking at that point. A few days later, I ended up at Stanford Medical Center, where I received my official diagnosis of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This day my life changed forever.
After my diagnosis, my life completely turned upside-down. I have been in the hospital more than I have been home. I had to take a break from school, work, the gym, and trips. I also haven't been able to really see any of my family or friends, unless they were willing to make the 2 and a half hour drive from our hometown. My mom and dad have been switching off staying with me because they do allow one caregiver overnight. Thankfully, one day I was able to see the light again through all these dark days. I just received my bone marrow transplant! My 17 year old brother was thankfully a 100% match. I couldn't be more thankful it worked out that way because then my journey would've probably been a lot longer. Through this all, I am thankful to call this my journey and have such a great support system on my side. I know this journey will only make me stronger as a person, and overall I am just grateful to be alive!

Noemy

fighting Leukemia APL


WISH: Hawaii
I am the oldest of three girls. I was ready to go off to college and pursue my degree in nurse practitioner. I was very excited since I was going to be the first in my family to go to college and it has been my mothers dream to see me succeed in life. She pushed me day and night to educate myself since she was not able to go to college herself. My mother helped me see how caring I am and how much I would be able to help others since both of my parents come from immigrant families. I then decided to apply for FASFA and they were able to help me financially. I was ready to start my new chapter in life when on September 1st of 2023 after a regular follow up appointment I got the worse news in my life. I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was then rushed to Seattle's Childrens Hospital. It was at first unknown what kind of leukemia until after days of lab work, I was diagnosed with Leukemia APL. I was informed I would have to stay in the hospital for a unknown time. That my life that I had known and had planned would never be the same again and that everything would have to be put on hold. I had to leave my whole family behind and only my mom was going to be on my side. It was really difficult because I then realized how ill I was. I was suffering from pain and medication side effects. It was one month as inpatient yet it seemed a eternity. During the time at the hospital I could not avoid getting depressed because my whole life changed and I found myself fighting for my life. It has been hard to think that I am not able to go to college until I am done with this chapter in my life. I had to change my focus and try to find positive things in all this situation. For example I am now grateful I went to the doctor when I did. That I am thankful that the doctors were able to save my life and that I will eventually be able to pick up where I left from. I am know half ways in the treatment. I look forward eating and drinking simple things I am now not able to, for example sunnyside up eggs. A good cup of coffee sounds amazing. I now have a second chance to life and I will follow my dreams and I will work very hard to become a nurse practitioner since I now know how it feels to be a patient in need of care. I will forever be thankful for all the support I have received from Seattle's Childrens Hospital staff, social works, and family.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I have a wish to go with my whole family to Hawaii.

Chase

fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma


WISH: Family Vacation
Chase graduated high school in 2023 and was planning on attending EMT school last August and Firefighter School in January. His father is a firefighter for Seminole County Fire Department and had hopes of working alongside him. Although this dream will still come true and is currently on hold with hopes of starting this August. Chase is handling his treatments well and will finish the 6 month treatment cycle on February 27th, 2024.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
Week long Family Vacation, either near the water or mountains.

Madison

fighting Synovial Sarcoma


WISH: Disneyland
Before cancer, I worked at a daycare with 3 year old children & loved working with kids so much . but i have two beautiful sons that I get to see everyday. It's upsetting that I barely see them while i'm admitted to the hospital which is normally 2 weeks. me and my kids love going to the park, trampoline parks, museums my oldest is 5 and my youngest is 3. my life was surrounded and i can't wait to be with my babies & work with babies.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I really would LOVE to go to Disneyland, I would love for my kids to have that experience not only for myself . but my boys, they've never seen the beach before and i have never been to california either! I know they would have a blast and I would cry tears of joy just seeing their happy little faces. Like I mentioned before, I don't get to see them everyday due to chemo and radiation appointments and I would be so grateful to spend my time with them. I cannot wait to hear "your wish has been granted"

Jack

fighting T-cell leukemia/lymphoma


WISH: Key West
Jack was diagnosed 4 months after graduating high school. He was planning to go to college and study Nuclear Engineering. He was getting marks on his skin and not feeling well. He was first diagnosed with a rash and given skin cream. He had petechiae all over his body. He was finally diagnosed with leukemia. He has been fighting Leukemia for over 2 years. Now he has avascular necrosis in his shoulders and hips which requires replacement of both shoulders and hips.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
His wish is to spend time in Key West and swim in the ocean.

Uriel

fighting Brain tumor


WISH: Star Wars at Disney
My cancer has come back multiple times. I am disabled I have a lot of problems like loss balance, double vision PTSD and WHITE COAT syndrome . I have been through 30 surgeries done chemotherapy back to back and radiation treatment. Through all that I still kept my head up and had a lot of faith in God because I am a mighty warrior of God. Always and will be positive no matter how bad things get, cancer won't break me. I fight for all my brothers fighting cancer.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I live and die for the star wars and Disney is my childhood and I've always wanted to go to Disneyland and go see galaxy edge I want to make my own r2d2 and lightsaber and take a picture with all my favorite characters it's been my dream and because of cancer I haven't been able to anything

Elaina

fighting Diffuse Midline Glioma


WISH: Universal Studios
I was diagnosed with brain and spine cancer in July of 2022. Before I was diagnosed, I was a freshman in college. I was living independently in a dorm, meeting new friends, and working on my degree. I've always been a creative, energetic, and positive person. Qualities my cancer diagnosis can never take from me. In May of 2022, my younger sister was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. She's my best friend and it was the worst thing in the world watching her go through that, but she's a fighter and beat it just months later in November. Throughout high school I experienced neck and shoulder pain as well as terrible headaches. It all started going downhill when the summer before my sophomore year, more symptoms popped up including blurry vision. I went to the ophthalmologist and they quickly suggested I go to the ER. I'd never been to the ER before so, rightfully so, I was so nervous. They did some scans and the hospital bed was horrible. The docs came back after what felt like forever and told me they found something in my brain. Everything escalated from there. Two weeks later and I had brain surgery to remove the tumor, a month or so later I started radiation therapy, and after I completed that, started chemotherapy. Through all of this craziness I was continuing my degree, but online. I was about to go back that spring which was amazing as I made some of my very best friends that semester since joining a sorority. For a while everything was shrinking and even clearing up (which doesn't happen in tumors like mine). It felt like such a miracle. Now, I am about to start a clinical trial out of University of Michigan at Mott as new spots have started to show up. I have made it a goal to keep my spirits up by maintaining a positive attitude. I am blessed to have the most amazing friends and family ever who keep me lifted and loved. I will never let my diagnosis keep me from being the person I am and I am proud of myself for not letting my fight with cancer get me down.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I really would love to go to Universal Studios with my family because I love spending time with them and I
m OBSESSED with Harry Potter. I love the warm weather Florida has and roller coasters are my favorite.

Cole

fighting Papillary Carcinoma


WISH: Family Vacation
I was a healthy 19 year old who enjoyed spending time with family, being active outside, and watching sports. My life took a 180 turn the spring of 2022. I had obstacles that I needed to get through and it showed me how precious life really is. Your time is limited and tomorrow is never guaranteed. Today, I know what I went through only made me stronger.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would like to take a family vacation someplace with a beach or a cruise. I've always loved going to new places and after everything last year, it sounds very relaxing.

Keaira

fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma

In the beginning of October, I got accepted to my first-choice university, Shippensburg, in the History Program. I am aiming to major in American/Public History and work behind the scenes in either museums or local historical societies. I am looking at a minor in Creative Writing. My family was so excited for me as this is what I had been hoping for. Over the next few weeks, I got accepted to all of the schools I applied to, so we were spending that time reviewing everything and trying to finalize my choice when I was admitted to Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania for suspicion of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Since then everything has changed. I was worried that I would not be able to accept my offer at Shippensburg, however my oncology team says I should continue with my plans. I've been hesitant to do this just yet, but my mom and family continue to encourage me to stay focused on my goals. I have opted to participate in a clinical trial for treatment which allows me to go to the clinic a little less and not have as many side effects to the treatment, but I have slowed down a lot and attend school only 2-3 days a week. I try to still go as much as I can as my teachers and friends are all supportive. I'm also supposed to be in a play with our drama department in a few weeks and this helps me cope on the tough days as I have something to look forward to in the coming weeks. I am almost done with my second treatment cycle and hope to see positive results on my upcoming scan to show us that the treatment is working. I think this is what I need to see to keep my focus on my goals. I have been having some tough days over the holidays as I don't feel up to celebrating as I feel like what's the point since I am in the worst days I have ever had. One of the worst days was the day I decided to have my hair shaved. I had long hair so losing it all gives me a physical reminder of what I am going through. I try to stay positive, but my mom says I'm allowed to have all sorts of feelings as each day is different, but this is only temporary.

I hope to be able to feel better, and good about myself and gain the confidence to make plans for after graduation. I told my family I still want to go to Shippensburg, and they are all so supportive and are looking forward to some of the positive things we have coming up this year.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would like to take some time with my family and celebrate beating cancer and graduating from high school as I hope this all happens at that same time and turns all of these negative days into positive ones. I would like to either go to the Outer Banks with them as that is our happy place or I have thought it would be fun to visit Universal Studios as we all love Harry Potter.

Isabel

fighting Germ Cell Cancer

When I first got diagnosed when I was you ger life just seemed to fly by I knew I had cancer but i didn't know I had it as severe as I did to me I was still able to play and be so what of a normal kid as I got older it was all a blur. This time around being 18 it felt like someone put me in jail. My whole life stopped literally. I had to quickly plan around finals and think about next school semester while all I feel the need to do is sleep. Regardless of my disappointment I try to remind myself of all the love and support I am blessed to have in my life and that with the help of God all get through this with patience and strength.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
Either or I love to experience life through events but also a gift is something I will always be grateful for! Both way I would be absolutely thankful even just getting the opportunity

Andrea

fighting Breast Cancer


WISH: Gaming Computer
Before being diagnosed, I was a graduate student on a full ride scholarship. I was living on my own for the first time, and I was finally getting to be independent. My second semester of graduate school I got diagnosed with cancer (I got the call while I was in class -- about to take a quiz). Because I was going to school out of state, I had to forfeit my scholarship and place in the graduate program to go back home and face chemo, a double mastectomy and lymph node removal, and now radiation. I still have a lot of physical and occupational therapy to attend, since I'm at high risk for lymphedema after surgery and have nowhere near the same range of motion or strength I had before surgery. I have a lot of insecurities/psychological effects from being in medically induced menopause at 23, losing my breasts and not being able to have reconstruction until 6-8 months after radiation, and not being able to have the independent life I was having before. I am transferring to a school closer to home to hopefully finish my degree.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
The Sims 4 has been my favorite game for the longest time, but ever since my diagnosis it has been the best escapism I could have. While staying in bed, I've been able to build houses and apartments and create sims that have incredible lives beyond cancer.

Deonte

fighting Osteosarcoma

Before being diagnosed I spent a lot of time with people my own age. I spent time outside of my house and with my friends. Since being diagnosed I have felt very isolated. I rarely leave home, I have trouble getting around after having surgery on my leg and I use crutches or sometimes a wheelchair to move around. The cancer center where I go for treatment has a lot of older patients so I spend a lot time again with people that are not my same age. The isolation and experience of not being around people my own age is the biggest shift that stands out to me.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would like a new gaming computer. Specifically a Voyager II PC

Shaniah

fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma


WISH: Undecided
Before treatment I was a normal high schooler. Now, I am in the hospital often and due to the transplant, I can not go to many places. I would like to rent a movie theatre for a private screening of a movie with family and friends

Alexandra

fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia


WISH: Rainforest
Before my diagnosis, I was super active playing volleyball and I was in college getting my bachelors in psychology. I was diagnosed my junior year, a week before my 21st birthday. I received treatment, graduated, and relapsed last year. Since then I've been on a maintenance treatment and I'm working to gain my strength back after all my treatments caused some muscle loss. Meanwhile, I'm keeping myself busy by doing hobbies such as crocheting and painting.!

Katelyn

fighting Osteosarcoma


WISH: Swimming with dolphins
Prior to my diagnosis, I lived a very active and busy lifestyle. I completed my freshman year at the University of Kentucky as a nursing major carrying a 4.0 GPA. I'm a member of both the University of Kentucky's Dance Team and Tridelta sorority. I enjoyed working out and spending time with my friends and family as much as possible.

Since treatment, my college life has been put on hold. My current treatment plan includes admission three weeks in a row to receive chemotherapy. I'm taking online courses, have attended a few UK football games, and visit UK as much as possible..

Camryn

fighitng Ewings Sarcoma


WISH: Hawaii
I am in college and Mid-America Christian University and was planning to attend school this year but before my diagnosis I had hip surgery so I was at home for a whole month recovering and then found out about my diagnosis. I play basketball at my college and was going to start my second year. After finding out about my diagnosis, my life has changed tremendously. My story has reached so many people and I never would have imagined this happening to me. I live in a very small town in Texas with not much to do so I usually either hangout with friends and family or binge watch Netflix series.

Arlo

fighting Germ Cell Cancer


WISH: Legoland Florida
I am on the autism spectrum and I was enrolled in a group therapy program that I attended two days a week. I used to go for long walks every day and watch movies and play with my dog before I got sick.I was diagnosed in June and was hospitalized at South Shore University Hospital for almost four months and was discharged on 10/19/23. Right now I enjoy the same things but I'm not well enough to resume going to my program or going on long walks. Everything is different now and I don't know what my life is going to be like yet.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I want to go to Legoland in Florida because I went there in 2017 with my mom and I'd love to go back again. I love building with Legos and Legoland was so fun because they have an awesome water park and lots of cool rides and exhibits. I've been a Lego fan for most of my life and I've been to Lego conventions and special exhibits in the past.

Ashlynn

fighting Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic Leukemia


I relapsed. Prior to this, I was in my junior year of high school. I was looking forward to my proms, senior year, and attending college when done. I had been working part time after school and during the summer. I had earned enough money on my own to purchase my first car, a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. I had only had it for two months before I relapsed. After starting chemotherapy, I experienced a cerebral hemorrhage and seizures. I was on a ventilator and had an emergent craniectomy. I had to wear a helmet to protect my brain from January until September last year. This is when I was able to have surgery to have my bone that had been removed replaced. I have been either hospitalized or immunocompromised . I had to complete my junior and senior year with online classwork. I missed out on all the exciting senior moments. I have not been able to drive my car since I have had seizures. I was very fortunate to find a unrelated donor match. I am currently 58 days post transplant as of today. I have been staying in Atlanta for my bone marrow transplant and currently 5 hours away from home. I haven't been able to be around my friends for the past 1.5 years. I am looking forward to the day that it safe to travel home and hang out with my family and friends again. I am praying that my cancer will never relapse again and that I can say I am cancer free forever!
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I am asking for my wish to be a gift of a service dog for my seizures.

Deondra

fighting Medulloblastoma


I was pretty normal. Meetings, the ministry, friends. Now it's a little harder
I have any physical restrictions like walking normally, writing, seeing

Luke

fighting Hodgkin's Lymphomia


Before being diagnosed with stage IV hodgkin's lymphoma, I was a busy student-athlete. I was involved in football, basketball, baseball, track, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honors Society during my time at Oregon City Schools. Outside of school, I was very active with my church, volunteering in children's church and helping with the audio-visual department. Summers had been spent playing travel baseball, participating in football workouts, hanging out at Cedar Point, and working with the grounds crew at the Oregon Recreation Department. I often volunteered at a number of youth summer camps through my church and at Clay High School, where I helped to encourage and train the younger generation.

I graduated with honors and was looking forward to attending college at the University of Toledo to earn a degree in a healthcare field. A month before school started, I went to an allergist due to chronic itching that was not being relieved by other treatments my PCP suggested. Thankfully, the allergist did blood work, in which he discovered I was anemic and suggested I follow up with my doctor. Many tests were performed, but I proceeded with college, until it was eventually discovered that I had hodgkin's lymphoma. The oncologist suggested I take a medical leave of absence to focus on my health. I started 6 rounds of outpatient chemotherapy and things were going great other than the typical fatigue, nausea, and isolation struggles. After the first PET scan, I got encouraging news that the cancer was responding, but unfortunately, after the fourth round, another PET scan was performed, and the cancer had started to grow back again. I couldn't believe it and I was so disappointed that I wasn't almost done with this tough journey. From that point, I started immunotherapy to hopefully maintain the progress I had made and my local oncologist referred me to a lymphoma specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. The lymphoma specialist suggested a treatment plan that involved intense chemotherapy, along with a stem cell transplant. Currently I am recovering in Cleveland, and have been confined to the bone marrow transplant unit for 20 days. The intense chemotherapy was no joke. I have been on oxygen, had many blood cultures done, along with chest and head CT scans to make sure I didn't have infections due to my struggle with a consistent fever. I have lost 25 pounds since my admission, but finally each day seems a tad bit better than the one before. I am looking forward to going home soon!
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
For my Nik's wish, I would love to go to Hawaii with my parents, three sisters, and my two brother-in-laws. While there, if possible I would really like to do some fishing and maybe even learn how to surf. I chose this wish, because the last 8 months have been such a challenge for me and my family, and it would be nice to get away to a tropical location and do our best not to think about the struggles I have endured throughout this journey. I believe it would be a boost to my mental health and be great to make dream like memories with my family. Thank you for the opportunity to be placed on your waiting list and hopefully eventually be considered for this wish.

Matthew

fighting Glioblastoma


Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Matt moved to Boston to attend Northeastern U where he completed a double major in Math and Music. During undergrad Matt also studied Conducting and saxophone performance at the New England Conservatory of Music and was President of Northeastern's Wind ensemble for 2 years, during which he conducted the group alongside their director and premiered his own arrangements and original compositions. After finishing his degrees in 2021, Matt stuck around Boston to start work full time at Wayfair as a pricing analyst while also playing saxophone in and conducting community bands all over the Boston area.
Then everything changed. Matt and his partner Ellesse (they had met in the music dorms at Northeastern) were moving into their new rental together in Jamaica Plain just near Boston when Matt started getting some bad migraines, vision loss and nausea. Matt was rushed to the hospital where an MRI Showed a lime-sized tumor growing very fast in his brain. Matt went in for a craniotomy where about half the tumor was removed. The biopsy returned the results of Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and incurable primary brain tumor. Matt was given a prognosis of about 5 years. After another surgery and radiation treatment, Matt now has limited use of his left side, and walks around with a cane. Though he can't play the sax anymore he still spends his days arranging and composing music for local bands to perform.
Matt and Ellesse, now newly engaged,☺️ are still sprucing up their Jamaica Plain apartment, birdwatching in Boston's great parks, going to local concerts and festivals, and traveling around the US and abroad(when Matt has the energy to do so).
Matt is now almost a year out from his surgery and doing his best to live his life to the fullest.

Sarah

fighting Synovial Sarcoma


I would describe my life before my diagnosis in one word as full. I was at the time of my diagnosis serving a full-time mission for my church in Jacksonville, Flordia. I spent my days serving and talking with people. I had a full schedule every day and experienced a lot of joy. Before that I was a full-time student at Utah State University, where my schedule was full of classes, friends and activities. After my diagnosis, I had a pretty drastic change. I spent a lot of time at doctors appointments and I went from a full schedule to struggling to fill my time each day. I did pick up some new hobbies like embroidery, but it has been hard. I try to find little joys in each day.

Payton

fighting Osteosrcoma


My life before diagnosis was vibrant! I was an accomplished high school athlete in various sports, including becoming a state hurdle champion my junior year. I was an excited college student ready to take on the world after graduation until the end of my sophomore year when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my left femur. I was then immediately treated with chemotherapy and a full knee replacement, which made me take a semester off from school. Although, I am limited in my mobility now and there are certain thing I will never do again such as running which was my passion. I am still trying to comprehend everything even after an entire year and am still adjusting to my new normal.

Jaydon

fighting Osteosrcoma


I was a normal teen, active in High School football. I graduated with honors and was planning my future. I loved working as a Heavy Equipment Operator. It provided me the independence every 18yr old craves. I was well on my way into my "real life" beginning adulthood phase.
Then "real life" hit me in a way I never expected, cancer. I have felt every emotion possible; scared I'm going to die, angry it's happening to me, jealous of my friends starting their lives, careers and college, while my life is stuck in neutral. I have emotions that I didn't expect; appreciation of the love of my friends & family, humor where you least expect it & an inner strength I didn't know I possessed. There are truly great things that can be found during our darkest times.

Cody

fighting Colon/Liver cancer


My life was full of joy & laughter. I was living the best life with my wife and our first son!! After my diagnosis everything went downhill. We were lost ,worried, concerned, confused. We didn't know what to do or expect. We lost our home & moved in with our family. My wife is carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders to take care of me and my son.

Jadyn

fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia


Having a Nik's Wish will definitely support me and my loved ones by giving Jadyn something to look forward to. And to help increase her self esteem & encourage her to continue to fight every day even if things are hard or looks like an unfavorable outcome. More than anything this wish will hope put some better memories for her to go to Universal Studios then her previous MAW whe Jadyn was seriously ill and missed the last half of her Disney trip & all of Univ Studios experience

Nikita

fighting Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma


I had kidney issues since I was 7 yrs old. College was essentially the first time I was able to go to school and build a life. Now I have to give myself up to the hospital once again. I really had to grow up all over, re-access my mental health, emotional, and spiritual health as I'm going through this. I've changed in such a short amount of time that it surprised me, but I'm going through this knowing I can, without losing myself. It truly is a difficult journey, but one I am not stepping down from.

Samuel

fighting Osteosarcoma


When I was 8 years old I was dx with a Medulloblastoma brain tumor. I went through a lot then and had to relearn how to walk and do other things. I still have some balance and coordination issues because of that but I was cancer free for 9 years. Then on my annual MRI I found out I had radiation induced osteosarcoma of the skull and brain. This was a big shock to me. I was about to start my senior year of high school and was planning on doing normal stuff like go to school and hang out with friends. But all that changed and now I spend a lot of time in the hospital getting chemo because the type I get you can’t do at home. I also had surgery in December, the day after my 18th birthday. I can only go to school in person a few days out of a month and trying to work out times to hang out with friends is hard too.


What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?

I would like to go to Wyoming because the pictures I’ve seen are really pretty, I like to ride horses, and I like anything western. I used to think I would like to work on a ranch someday if I could.

Forrest

Ewing Sarcoma

Before being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma I was a defensive end on the Saint Ambrose College football team. I was in my second year of college getting ready to play in our first game. Instead of playing that weekend I was told the x-ray of my collar bone looked like it had a tumor. Since then I have had 6 chemo treatments before surgery to remove 3 inches of my collar bone. I now will have 8 more to be sure there is no more cancer hiding anywhere. As of today I have 6 more treatments left. The treatments are every two weeks. I stay in the hospital and they are 3 to 5 days. I am also staying in college while I am doing treatments. My plan is to play football next fall.


What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would love to meet Tom Hanks. My mom named me after Forrest Gump one of his character's he plays in a movie. I think he is an amazing person and have always wanted to meet him. I realize this might be far fetched.

Hector

fighting Osteosarcoma

My life was good before cancer. I was able to have independence and have fun with friends. I didn't really have much stress in my life. After I was diagnosed, my life was full of stress and pain. After a while, I really lost my independence. Life became really hard. Recently, my lower leg was amputated. There is still some pain but its much better than the pain I was living with before. Hopefully, after rehab, I will be able to move around better and start to get my independence back. I am doing my best to keep a positive mind set and work on myself during this time.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I am hoping to travel with my parents to Hawaii.

Samuel

fighting Lymphoma

Sam, age 20 from CT, was a healthy young man when he was suddenly diagnosed with cancer in January of 2021. He had a very scary & difficulty first round of chemo where he was in the intensive care unit. He's been adjusting to the new diagnosis but it's been extra challenging due to covid.