April 2024: Nick Strong Foundation Updates
The Boston Marathon was a success and all 5 runners associated with Nick Strong crossed the finish line.
It was a beautiful day in Boston filled with lots of Nick Strong support. Every time we saw the NG signs and Carolina blue crowds we were reminded why we were running and kept pushing forward. A big thank you to everyone who supported Boston Children’s Hospital, Nick Strong Foundation and Dana Farber/Jimmy Fund. Together we are all Nick Strong and hope to make a difference.
On Friday, April 26th FHS Softball Team hosted their annual Cancer Awareness Game. They donated all funds raised to the foundation. Thank you ladies for the support.
Upcoming Events
We are beyond excited to announce groundbreaking research, being conducted by the Jackson Laboratories, that could potentially find treatments to germ cell tumors.
Pediatric oncologist Dr. Ching Lau is a professor at the lab, which is a nonprofit biomedical institution committed to basic research discoveries that will change the landscape of cancer detection and care. Dr. Lau and his lab team have developed a first of its kind assay that can accurately diagnose germ cell tumors using spinal fluid obtained from a less invasive procedure such as a spinal tap. The Nick Strong Foundation has decided to directly fund these tests that cost about $2,000 per test.
They have about 50 samples ready to test and our goal is to fund these samples and keep going from there! This is the type of breakthrough research the foundation has been waiting for and it is an honor to be part of the funding in Nick’s memory.
Our first annual Nick Strong Foundation Golf Tournament is on June 17th. The tournament is sold out but there are still lunch tickets and sponsorship opportunities available. We are pleased to announce that 100% of the proceeds from the golf tournament will go directly towards the research at the Jackson Laboratory.
To donate to the Jackson Lab and fund these tests, go to the Nick Strong Foundation donation page and select “Yes, I’d like 100% of my donation to support the Jackson Laboratory Germ Cell Tumor research” before entering your credit card information. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Ching Lau and Jackson Laboratories, visit The Lau Lab (jax.org)
Check out Derek Beaulieu in Boston on May 9th. He will be participating in the Rock N Rumble XIII. Derek is fighting to honor his son, Gavin who is currently battling ALL. Their family has chosen to support the NSF as their charity to fundraise for. Tickets are on sale at Buy Haymakers for Hope Tickets | 2024 Event Dates & Schedule | Ticketmaster.com
The FHS Lacrosse Boosters are hosting a fundraiser at the Shed in Franklin on Tuesday, May 21st. Come out and have some fun playing trivia with a chance to win some prizes! The profits from this event will support our efforts in funding the Jackson Laboratory and the Nick Strong scholarship.
Vinnie Pasquarosa is once again participating in the Shot for Life hockey tournament on May 19th. ASFL is a sports based non-profit organization that funds health and cancer research initiatives. They are currently funding a clinical trial of CAR-T cell therapy at Mass General Hospital. To support Vinnie and this critical research click on the link: ASFL Hockey – A Shot For Life, Inc. (flipcause.com)
Our Mission in Action
Remington Middle School in Franklin has chosen The Nick Strong Foundation for their school wide fundraiser this year. Nick’s mom attended the school assembly to tell the students about the foundation and where their funding would go. Nick’s family is putting together bags full of some of Nick’s favorite things that helped him while he was in the hospital receiving treatments or recovering at home. These bags will be placed in the Jimmy Fund’s Teen Center in May. The goal is to fill 20 bags. The money raised from the school’s fundraiser will go directly to filling these bags. Pictures will be posted next month.
Every month we try to provide some kind of small financial gift to another family who is also going through the same stress of a cancer diagnosis. This month, the NSF sent three families financial assistance. If you know anyone in need, please reach out on our contact page.
Did you know that the Jimmy Fund publishes wishlists on Amazon? This month the Nick Strong Foundation purchased 50 gifts from the Jimmy Fund’s Amazon Wishlist and sent them to the Jimmy Fund for patients.
Jess Miklosko is hosting a blood drive in honor of the NSF for Boston Children’s Hospital on May 2nd at her company, Ultragenyx in Woburn.
Once again, a big THANK YOU to all of our April blood and platelet donors. Boston Children’s Hospital featured some of our donors this month. Click HERE to see their post.
