Cheryl Colleluori was on the phone with her college-aged son when she heard something that stopped her: a faint whistling sound in his breathing.
What followed was a devastating diagnosis, a large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, discovered during Nick Colleluori’s freshman year at Hofstra University.
What the Swedesboro family thought might be a minor sinus issue became a grueling 14-month fight involving chemotherapy, radiation, stem-cell transplants, and crushing financial strain, according to Autumn Demberger of Philadelphia Magazine.
But even from his hospital bed, Nick was thinking about others.
Watching families around him struggle with the emotional and economic weight of traveling long distances for cancer care, he founded the HEADstrong Foundation in 2005, determined to provide the kind of support that goes beyond medicine.
After Nick passed away in 2006, Cheryl honored his final wish by taking over the nonprofit and expanding its impact.
The Woodlyn-based nonprofit now provides financial, emotional, and residential support to cancer patients and their families through programs like Nick’s House, which offers free housing in Philadelphia and Boston for those traveling for specialized care.
Since its founding, HEADstrong has supported nearly 40,000 patients and raised more than $39 million.
Cheryl’s next goal: five Nick’s House locations near major cancer centers across the country.
“I’m so proud of the work that we’ve done and the commitment that we have to the cancer community, and all that is possible through Nick and his idea,” said Colleluori.
To learn more about Cheryl Colleluori’s inspiring journey and the mission behind HEADstrong Foundation, click through and read the full article in Philadelphia Magazine.
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