#NikiStrong

Penn State swimmer Nikolette Nolte is garnering support from teams across Penn State Athletics and swim programs throughout the NCAA since her relapse of cancer during her freshman year in Happy Valley.

Niki was first diagnosed with primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma during her junior year of high school at Kutztown. After becoming cancer-free just prior to the start of her senior year, she continued her successful swimming career as a two-time District champion, as well as an NISCA All-American and finalist at state and national level competitions.  Niki also excelled academically; she was an NISCA All Academic her senior year, and she committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Penn State.

Shortly after celebrating a year of being cancer-free, Niki was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of cancer that came as a result of her previous treatment for lymphoma.

“Never in a million years did I think I would be making this post, but here we are,” Nolte wrote on her Instagram page on September 30. “Unfortunately, life happens in crazy ways, and I am back home receiving chemotherapy treatment for this crazy word called cancer. My previous treatment mutated cells in my bone marrow, and I am fighting high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I have a long road ahead, but I will be back up to Happy Valley soon!"



ABOUT OUR FUNDRAISER...
This fundraiser will be overseen by the Penn State compliance staff. In accordance with NCAA rules, funds will be distributed to the Nolte family for documented treatment-related expenses and any excess funds will be donated to THON and the Jessie Rees Foundation.
 
About THON
THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Our mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness and ensure funding for critical research - all in pursuit of a cure.
 
Every year, THON's efforts culminate in a 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. Since 1973, THON has grown from a 78-person marathon in a small gymnasium to the world's largest student-run philanthropy, engaging over 16,500 student volunteers. These committed students dedicate over 5,000,000 hours to supporting THON's efforts in finding a cure to childhood cancer.
 
Approximately 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and THON, through a partnership with Four Diamonds, is working to change that. THON partnered with Four Diamonds in 1977 and since then, has raised over $146 million in the fight to end childhood cancer. The funds raised by THON have helped to cover treatment costs for more than 4,000 children and supported the growth of innovative research which reaches beyond the boundaries of Pennsylvania to touch the lives of families affected by childhood cancer everywhere.  Please visit http://www.THON.org
 
About the Jessie Rees Foundation
In 2011, 12 year-old Jessie Rees created and stuffed more than 3,000 JoyJars herself during her 10-month fight against an inoperable brain cancer (DIPG). Jessie passed away in January 2012, yet the Foundation she started continues her mission to care for and encourage kids fighting cancer to NEGU: Never Ever Give Up, by distributing more than 200,000 JoyJars to kids fighting cancer across the US – in every state, plus 33 other countries. The Jessie Rees Foundation has provided Jessie's JoyJars to kids fighting cancer at no cost to hospitals or the recipients, and is completely funded through private and corporate donations. For more information, please visit http://www.negu.org