Fall 2025 Updates
The foundation has had a busy and successful fall season, and we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our amazing community. We couldn’t continue our mission without you. As we enter the holiday season, we’re especially mindful of the families who are grieving the loss of a loved one or who are in the midst of fighting cancer. Our hearts are with them during this difficult time.
Community Events
The Pan Mass and Falmouth Road Race wrapped up our summer. Tim and Team Nick Strong raised $83,000 for Dana Farber and Jimmy Fund. Jen and Steph joined Team Adelia for the Falmouth Road Race. The team raised over $166,000 for Dana’s Farber’s Brain Tumor Center.
Jenn Paquarosa hosted a fundraiser at Drip in Franklin, and it was a fun Friday night spent sweating it out for an important cause. Held to raise funds for Dana Farber for our 2025 Boston Half Marathon Team. The event brought people together to raise both funds and awareness for our fight against cancer.
October 18th was Nick’s heavenly 19th birthday. One of our favorite ways to honor him is by giving back to the Boston Children’s Hospital. This year, we chose the two places where Nick spent most of his time—the oncology and neuro-oncology units—and shared their wish lists with our community.
The outpouring of gifts was incredible and deeply appreciated by the staff at Boston Children’s Hospital. In addition, the Nick Strong Foundation matched the number of gifts purchased by individuals and sent even more, helping us spread kindness in Nick’s memory.
The Franklin High School Girls Soccer program partnered with our foundation to create Halloween gift bags for patients at the Jimmy Fund. This effort held special meaning as it honored the memory of Gavin Beaulieu. With Gavin’s sister being part of the soccer program, her teammates embraced this project as a meaningful way to support her and to stand with all those fighting this horrific disease.
Together, we filled 60 gift bags with games, Halloween crafts, and sweet treats—bringing a bit of joy and comfort to children who need it most.
On November 8th, Nick’s brother, Jordan Gaspar, joined hundreds of others in the Shot for Life Gauntlet. Funds raised through the ASFL Challenge support brain cancer research at the Dr. Curry Research Lab at Mass General Hospital.
On November 9th, twenty-two Nick Strong teammates took on the Boston Half Marathon in support of Dana-Farber. Together, our team raised $23,968, all of which goes directly to pediatric brain tumor research at the Bandopadhayay Laboratory at Dana-Farber.
On November 11th, we hosted our 3rd Annual Nick Gaspar 3v3 Basketball Tournament at Franklin High School. We had 200 participants and raised $16,000. This event is especially meaningful because it brings together kids from across the community to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer—supporting the brave children and families fighting right here at home.
Franklin Recreation dedicated a sign at Beaver Field in Franklin to honor the memory of Nick, Anthony and Gavin. Thank you to all that were involved in this, especially Jack Geromini and Ryan Jette. We are forever grateful!
On November 21st, Franklin High School’s Connect for Cancer club hosted a blood drive for Boston Children’s Hospital. The effort put forth by student leaders, volunteers, and staff was inspiring, and their commitment to helping others had a meaningful impact.
Our Mission in Action
This fall we were able to assist 6 patients and their families. If you know of a child going through treatment and could use financial help or a gift to cheer them up, go to our contact page on our website to let us know. We are happy to help in any way we can.
We are pleased to announce that we have donated $20,000 to The Jackson Laboratory for their research in Germ Cell Tumors.
Upcoming Events
Boston Marathon: We’re proud to share that Jen Gaspar will be running her third Boston Marathon, and Dave Freedman will be joining her for his first! Both are running as part of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Team Miles for Miracles—an incredible cause supporting life-changing care and research for kids and families.
Click their links below to show your support and help them reach their fundraising goals:
David Freedman’s Fundraising Page
Pickleball Tournament: The Connect for Cancer Club at Franklin High School is excited to announce a pickleball tournament at the brand-new Eleveno Pickleball venue in Foxboro on February 16, 2026! Keep an eye out for registration details — coming soon! All proceeds will benefit The Nick Strong Foundation!
Podcast: Check out our first podcast with Dr. Gina Gell from Jackson Laboratory. We are looking forward to sharing more interviews with you. Nick Strong Podcast – Finding Strength in Pediatric Cancer
