Nick was a happy and funny boy who loved to dance, play outside, swim, and act out movies and tv shows. He loved Power Rangers, all superheroes, and Pokémon, which he had quite a collection of cards. He especially loved Thomas the Train. He enjoyed participating in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He had a special green blanket he took everywhere. He loved his friends and family dearly. He was kind-hearted and made friends everyone he met was his best friend. He was always there for a hug and was so sweet.

In spring 2009, Nick’s parents noticed clumsiness in his walking and when playing soccer, along with random vomiting. His doctor attributed his vomiting to eating too fast or acid reflux. Shortly after, Nick began experiencing double vision, which his doctor thought was caused by a possible inner-ear issue, prompting a CT scan. The scan revealed a mass that led to Nick being diagnosed with DIPG, a highly aggressive and inoperable brain cancer at the age of 7. Nick spent the summer at St. Jude, undergoing treatment that made him tired and sick. After he completed radiation, he perked back up and was able to run and play again. Shortly after Christmas that year, Nick’s tumor progressed, and he quickly lost the ability to walk and talk. He and his family had a special “sign language” to communicate. He was so brave and always put others first.

Nick fought a courageous and determined 12-month battle before he gained his angel wings on May 29, 2010, at the age of 8. He went through so much that no one, especially a child, should have to endure. Nick touched more lives than many do in a lifetime. Nick’s family carries on his legacy by raising funds in Nick’s honor for pediatric brain cancer research. Without funds for research, we won’t get closer to a cure for this horrific disease that takes too many children. 

Thank you for choosing to donate to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. 100% of this donation, after credit card processing fees, goes directly towards research to find the homerun cure for cancer starting with pediatric brain cancer research.

If you would like to make a donation by mail please send a check to:  The Cure Starts Now Foundation; 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215 and put the child's name in the memo.

The family receives notification of all donations made to this tribute fund automatically.