From the family of Nick Currey

Nick looked forward to going to college with the usual combination of fear and excitement that any freshman does. His first semester promised to be a bit more challenging because he would spend his first semester in Colby College’s program in France.

The day before he was to depart included many errands, a gift for his French tutor who helped him prepare for the classwork, picking up snacks and toiletries, and getting a nagging pain in his side checked out by his pediatrician. A follow-up x-ray revealed something ominous, and eventually he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma so instead of classes and croissants, it was surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

When Nick relapsed on treatment, all the doctors we consulted suggested a stem cell transplant as his best chance of beating the disease and finally getting to his goal of attending Colby. We all felt so grateful to have the possibility of a cure. While talking to the transplant doctors, we were assured that deaths from transplant were rare.

After sixty five agonizing days, Nick died from complications of the transplant. We remain stunned at the loss of a young man who was a day away from realizing his dream of going to college. He faced every setback and treatment with a courage and resolution that inspired all who met him. There is no way to acquaint you with his sense of humor and sensitivity, but the thousand people who paid there respects to Nick at his passing could tell you about his million dollar smile.

Our goal is to find a cure for Ewing’s sarcoma so that the Nicks of the future will not be lost to such an evil disease. Nick survived leukemia as a toddler, only to succumb to an even more treacherous cancer more than likely caused by his leukemia treatments. Those of you who did not have a chance to get to know this kind and funny guy have an opportunity to make a difference.

About Who Nick Was

Nick arrived in this world on January 30, 1986 in Ridgewood, NJ. He lived the normal life of a little boy in the suburbs until we noticed huge lymph nodes on either side of his neck, It took six weeks to find out that Nick had acute leukemia of the T-cell variety, a very aggressive form of the disease.. Nick was so excited as I packed his bag to go to the hospital. We had not had had many opportunities to go on vacation so he thought we were going on one. His white blood cells were packed so tightly that it was extremely difficult to get a needle into his vein, as they tried to do so, Nick screamed “Save me!” I think my heart broke for the first time then. I sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to calm him. I can never hear that song without remembering.

Two years of treatment followed during which time Nick dealt with his illness with courage and went on with his life. Possibly because of his illness, Nick was something of a homebody and his family was very important to him. He rooted himself with activities like Boy Scouts. He and his dad formed an even deeper bond with their shared Boy Scout experiences. One of the highlights proved to be their trip to Philmont Ranch in New Mexico. It was a life altering time communing with nature that these young men shared.

Nick loved playing baseball and became a skilled pitcher during his high school years/ He learned to ski at the age of 13 and became a passionate skier. He was looking forward to skiing at Sugarloaf during his time at Colby.

Nick also stayed in touch with the caregivers at Tomorrows Children’s Institute in Hackensack. He was grateful for the chance at life they had given him. As a family, we participated in a group at Gilda’s Club to show parents of children currently receiving treatment how there was light at the end of the tunnel and that children could have a happy and productive life after cancer treatment. We all felt so rewarded by that event and felt that we had provided hope where there was fear. Nick really wanted to give back.

Nick also enjoyed special events that came as a result of his illness. He was able to meet his idol, Cal Ripken, through the special efforts of the National Leukemia Foundation. He did have a great vacation at Disney World thanks to the Dream Street Foundation. The David Pegel Foundation made possible a Father-Son baseball camp in Cooperstown NY that he attended for four years and then went as an advisor with his cousins and uncle.

During the year that Nick stayed behind instead of enjoying the college experience, he wrote poetry. He crafted each stanza like a work of art. He felt the year was a gift, that he was not swept along the rush of graduating from high school and hurrying onto college. He used the time to reflect and measure what was truly important in life. He was inspired by the staff at the hospital and hoped to become a child life specialist to help other kids deal with illness with his vast reservoir of knowledge of fighting cancer.

What we cannot convey in our website is the wonderful son, brother, cousin, grandchild and friend Nick was. So many people tell us how they think of Nick everyday and his courage lighted the way. We feel if we can save one Nick, with your help all our efforts will be worth it.