Why We Rally: Nick’s Story

Every day, 47 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Behind every diagnosis is a child with dreams, passions and a future worth fighting for. 

Rally Kid Nick is one of those children. 

Nick is a friendly, energetic and athletic boy who loves sports and being active. At just 10 years old, when he suddenly became tired all the time and lost interest in the things he loved most, his parents felt something wasn’t right. 

Then, everything changed. 

After spiking a high fever and waking up with extreme leg pain that left him unable to walk, Nick’s family rushed him to the emergency room. Just eight hours later, they heard the words no parent should ever have to hear. 

On July 18, 2023, Nick was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He faced treatment with incredible bravery and strength as he worked to knock cancer out of the park. His treatment journey lasted two and a half years. 

Nick completed frontline treatment and began maintenance therapy in June 2024. For many children, this phase means transitioning to monthly clinic visits. But because Nick is allergic to one of the primary chemotherapies used during maintenance, he had to continue weekly clinic visits another six months. 

Stories like Nick’s are why childhood cancer research matters. 

Kids deserve treatments that are not only effective, but safer. Families deserve options with fewer long-term side effects. And no child should have to face additional challenges because better treatments do not yet exist. 

Nick’s family decided to take action by joining 47 Faces, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research’s community fundraising campaign inspired by the 47 children diagnosed with cancer every day. 

They started with a simple fundraiser selling T-shirts to support childhood cancer research. 

What began as one fundraiser quickly grew into something much bigger. 

Since then, Nick’s family has created a Rally research fund in his honor that has raised nearly half a million dollars for childhood cancer research, and they are just getting started. 

Their story is a powerful reminder that every fundraiser matters. A T-shirt sale, community fundraiser, social media campaign or small event can create real impact and help fund the research needed to develop better treatments and cures for kids with cancer. 

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, you can make a difference for children like Nick by joining 47 Faces. 

Whether you fundraise in honor of a Rally Kid, start a fundraiser with friends and family or rally your community together, every effort helps move research forward and brings hope to families facing childhood cancer. 

Together, we can help create a future where children have safer treatments, fewer long-term side effects and more cures. 

And one day, a future where no parent ever has to hear the words, “Your child has cancer.” 

Join 47 Faces today and help fund lifesaving childhood cancer research.