Nicholas began kindergarten in September 2013 and several weeks later, he began to complain about pain during urination. However, a urologist said everything was fine. On the 26th of September, Nicholas was taken to the ER with stomach pain, where he was diagnosed with a stomach bug and constipation. By November, Nicholas’s belly had a noticeable mass, and was taken to the ER for a CAT scan. In actuality, the constipation was a growing mass. He was diagnosed with Burkitts lymphoma non Hodgkins. Nicholas was admitted to the hospital where he received treatment for several weeks. Nicholas has had eight rounds of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and surgery to remove the tumor. Today, Nicholas continues to get blood work every two months. Wonderfully, he has been in remission for seven years since May 5, 2014!

Nicholas’s family continues to hope for a cure for cancer, as well as more research to find less invasive treatment options. Nicholas is truly a hero to his family, diagnosed at only age 5 and battling for seven months with a smile on his face every day. Nicholas taught his mom, dad and two older brothers how to be strong. His mom recommends that other families going through cancer diagnosis and treatment try to take every day one step at a time, and has relied on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) for information and support, including a treatment journal. In June of 2015, Nicholas even hosted his own lemonade stand for ALSF.

Quote: “One step at a time! Strength for Nicholas.” 

Information provided by Patricia DaSilva
Updated August 2021