Cancer Treatment for Nico
Meet 10 year old Nicholas Smart, my little brother. He needs immediate cancer treatments for Stage 3 Burkitt Lymphoma.
Two weeks ago a stomach ache sent him to the Emergency Department. He ended up needing emergency surgery in the middle of the night. The surgeon removed a large tumor along with part of his intestines. Burkitt Lymphoma is rare and very fast growing. These tumors double in size every day! I realize that we almost lost him, and I am so grateful he is still with us.
Luckily, the Chemotherapy treatment is usually very successful, but getting Chemo for 6 months is horrible for a 10 year old boy. He’s scared and is trying to be brave yet we all wish we could take this from him and go through it in his place. His cute blonde hair is going to fall out, and he’ll be immunocompromised (if anyone around him is sick he could get sick enough from it to threaten his life.) I’m not looking forward to watching him lose weight as he gets sicker because he wont be able to eat much or keep his food down.
Mom and Dad have both put work on hold to be by his side and they know they don’t have to do this alone. We have incredibly supportive family and friends. The expressions of love and support are deeply felt by us all and many people have asked for a way to donate. My parents have asked me to set up this crowdfunding account for Nico’s treatments, insurance deductables, out of pocket fees, and transportation to allow everyone to contribute toward the financial hardship of a long term fight with cancer. This whole thing has been heartbreaking and emotional for all of us and I can’t stand by and watch as the family’s finances hit a critical point.
I have included donation suggestions for three different categories: A) Gifts for Nico to provide comfort, B) Household expenses to help Mom and Dad, C) Family Adventures after Nico recovers, and D) Medical Bills.
I have to believe that in a year, Nico will be a happy, healthy 11 year old who used to have cancer, but getting him there will be challenging. The next 6 months are going to be rough.
#NicoStrong8
If you prefer to donate e-gift cards like Amazon, Target, LEGO, Whole Foods, Costco, or Walmart, or if you want to donate Hilton or Marriott points or airline miles, we’ve set up an email account at [email redacted].
Expenses:
$10 Will buy 1 knit hat or 1 pair warm socks
$15 Will buy 1 book to read in the hospital
$25 Will buy 1 zip up hoodie, 1 pair of sweat pants, or a body pillow
$40 Will buy 1 wool beanie, 1 organic cotton hoodie, a pair of wool slippers, or 1 video game
$55 Pays for art supplies and paint, or 1 LEGO set
$60 Puts 1 tank of gas in the car to drive from Pleasant Grove (home) to Salt Lake City (Primary Children’s Medical Center)
$75 Buys 2 days of healthy meals for Nico and his family
$110 Pays for 1 hotel night in SLC for Mom and Dad
$200 Buys a Yearly Family Pass to Hogle Zoo
$250 1 week of healthy meals for Nico and his family
$350 Will buy 1 airline ticket for his big sister to come see him from Georgia
$550 Pays for 1 week at a hotel in SLC for Mom and Dad
$700 Will buy 2 airline tickets for family to come see Nico from Georgia
$1,000 Buys 1 month of healthy meals for Nico and his family
$2,550 Pays for our house, electricity and utilities for 1 month
$4,000 Pays for 8 tickets to Disney World or Harry Potter World in Orlando, Florida
$6,000 Buys 6 months of healthy meals for Nico and his family
$30,000 Pays for all the home finances for 6 months
$100,000 Medical Bills