The Battle Never Ends for HEADstrong
When faith meets purpose, lives change. HEADstrong supports cancer patients and their families through love, strength, and community.
Everything happens for a reason. I say it all the time because it is what I believe! Give credit to my faith or blame my naivety. Either way, I know that everything we go through prepares us for something else and everyone we meet is placed in our lives for a reason. You then choose to follow your intuition or not, but the opportunity is there.
There Are No Coincidences
Cheryl Collulouri came into my life exactly when I needed her most. My sister’s cancer had just come back and things were not looking good. She and my brother in law were traveling several hours to Philadelphia from Delaware for her treatment and the travel was taking its toll on their wits, their wellbeing, and their wallets.
That is when I heard from the Collulouri family who are the brains and brawn behind the HeadStrong Foundation - an organization committed to improving the lives of those affected by cancer. They contacted me through a co-worker to ask if I would be willing to host their fundraising event. Once I learned more about what they do - what they stand for - I jumped at the chance to embed myself within this organization.
Cheryl put me in touch with some of the best doctors in the Philadelphia area for what my sister was battling. Unfortunately, we got that help too late and the cancer took her in March 2024. But I will never forget the look in Cheryl’s eyes when I told her about Debbie. I knew she would fight for my sister like she fought for her son.
The Inception of HEADstrong
The Collulouri family’s story is tragic, but all too common. In 2005, as Nick was finishing up his freshman year at Hofstra University, he noticed some issues that didn’t seem right. He wasn’t able to fully hear chatter or cheers on the lacrosse field, and one day woke up with total hearing loss in one ear. After a battery of tests, Nick was diagnosed with Lymphoma which claimed his life in just 14-months.
You often hear of people gaining incredible clarity while staring death in the face, and so was the case with Nick Collulouri. In his final months, from his hospital bed, Nick was committed to the creation and implementation of the HEADstrong Foundation. The foundation raises awareness and funds for cancer patients and their family by empowering athletes to support his mission.
I’ll never forget the day Cheryl told me about the conversation Nick had with her on their way home from the hospital that final time. She shares on HEADstrong.org:
He held my hand. We were sitting side-by-side. I’m driving home, and Nick says:
“I want to talk about three things, and I never want to talk about them again.”
First, he wanted to be cremated and buried. Second, he wanted a memorial scholarship at Ridley High School and at Hofstra University. And finally, Nicholas said:
“Mom, I need you to take the Foundation to where it needs to go. Don’t question anything. The lacrosse family is my brotherhood. They won’t turn their backs on you.”
Nick's House
Nick’s final request is bigger today than anyone thought it would be. Nick’s House in Philadelphia offers more than 2,500 nights of complimentary lodging for cancer patients and their families every year. Its proximity to hospitals like CHOP, Penn Medicine, and Jefferson Health make it a comfortable and convenient home away from home.
Nick’s House Boston is also now open and offers the same attention to detail as the Philly location. I spent some time at the Boston location. I met the families in residence, ate dinner with them, celebrated the end of treatment and was in awe of the family connections created under that roof. They exchanged information and promised to visit.
That doesn’t just happen. It happens when a house is built with love and for all the right reasons. I cry as I write this because I can only imagine the pain Cheryl feels with the loss of her son - but I am so grateful that Nick’s death was not in vain.
Click to learn more about Nick’s House Philly and the HEADstrong Foundation and I would love to meet you at the upcoming “A Night for the HEADstrong Foundation” September 18th in Philly. There is an event in the works for Nick’s House Boston in November … stay tuned.
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