In November 2012, at the age of 16, Nick was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer which metastasizes to the lungs. Nick enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and FIFA soccer, particularly the Dortmund soccer team of Germany. His true passion though was music, and he was a self-taught musician. He played a variety of instruments including bass and acoustic guitars. He also enjoyed playing the drums, the djembe (a hand drum) and the didgeridoo, a wind instrument that originated from Australia. During his inpatient chemotherapy treatments, he would often take one or more of his instruments to not only entertain himself but his nurses as well. Nick endured a very aggressive chemotherapy protocol for twelve months following his diagnosis which also included a total shoulder replacement and a thoracotomy to remove the remaining tumors. Despite being very physically ill for most of that time, he rarely ever had a complaint. He met most of his challenges with a positive attitude and worried more about his family and friends than he did himself. Nick finished his chemo protocol in November of 2013 and scan results showed "No Evidence of Disease". Nine months later, in August of 2014, quarterly scans showed new "Evidence of Disease" which would result in another major surgery on his lung and radiation on his spine. Despite the devastating news, he took the challenge head-on. Upon recovering from surgery and finishing his radiation treatment, he began a clinical trial of oral chemo. In January 2015, we received the most devastating news of all. His scan results showed more "Evidence of Disease". He had tumors on his skull, right humerus, ribs, lungs, spine, and pelvis. Very disappointed, Nick somehow remained positive. He continued taking his daily dose of oral chemo with hopes that it would rid his body of the cancer. Weeks and months passed, and although it was obvious he was beginning to experience fatigue and a lot of pain, he still woke up early every morning and went to work and enjoyed time with his friends and family. In May of 2015, Nick made the decision to stop taking the oral chemo, and he began receiving care under Hospice. He passed away on July 18, 2015, at the age of 19, but not without a fight. He fought hard and he fought strong.Childhood cancer is NOT rare when it is a disparity and the number one disease killer of kids! Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.