“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Nick, battled bone cancer (osteosarcoma) He was granted a wish and told he should dream big! This selfless boy made a unique wish. Nick’s wish was to pay it forward to a local charity – Zafia’s Family House. The organization was created by Zafia’s parents, Rebecca and Bob Fyfe, who wanted to create a “home away from home” for families with loved ones in local hospitals. On September 20, 2014, just a few months after nick completed chemo treatments his wish came true and he was able to celebrate the donation of $5,000 to help further the advancement of the Family House.
Being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2013, Nick wished to raise awareness about childhood cancer. However, he felt his wish was too broad and impersonal. His frequent visits to the hospital allowed him to establish relationships with his “hospital family” and his physician who happened to be the Assistant Chairman of Zafia’s Family House. He learned about Zafia and her similar struggle with osteosarcoma, and future Family House. During this time, Nick finally found the answer he was looking for. He knew his wish would be to support Zafia’s Family House and their mission. The idea and the need for this really touched him because we have been through so much and he has gotten so close to families, we know how hard it is to be at the hospital all the time and Nick has seen how important it is for families to have a comfortable place to stay.”
The celebration of Nick’s wish was so touching, a very special day where Nick met The Fyfe family for the first time and presented them with a check and they in turn, presented Nick with a box of tiles and paint that will be placed in the Family House once it opens.
Nick has continued his support of the family house and continues to raise awareness an support for Childhood Cancer. He is now in college and two years cancer free! He is majoring in nutrition and he says, “I’m glad I got cancer because it showed me my strength and opened me up to this journey of paying it forward, I am now an advocate for others.” – Melissa E
