How did Nick Colleluori’s personal battle with cancer inspire the creation of the HEADstrong Foundation. What services does HEADstrong provide to support cancer patients and their families. How has the foundation grown and expanded its reach since its inception.
Nick Colleluori: The Inspiration Behind HEADstrong Foundation
Nick Colleluori was a talented three-sport athlete known for his mental toughness and determination. He earned a lacrosse scholarship to Hofstra University, fulfilling a childhood dream. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in April 2005, during his freshman year.
Despite facing a grim prognosis, Nick fought bravely against cancer for 14 months. During this time, he recognized a significant gap in resources available for cancer patients and their families. This realization led him to create the HEADstrong Foundation from his hospital bed, with the goal of raising awareness and funds for cancer support.
Nick’s Vision for HEADstrong
Nick outlined both short-term and long-term goals for the foundation:
- Raise money for cancer research, awareness, and finding a cure
- Empower youth to maximize each healthy day they live
- Share his story to help others dealing with cancer
- Establish a scholarship program for student-athletes fighting cancer
- Develop a motivational speaking program for cancer patients
- Expand HEADstrong into a national foundation
The Birth of HEADstrong Foundation
How did Nick turn his vision into reality? He drew the organization’s logo moments before entering the operating room for a procedure and outlined its mission. Nick’s final wishes to his parents included a request for his mother to “take the Foundation to where it needs to go.” He believed that the lacrosse community, which he considered his brotherhood, would support the cause.
Nick passed away on November 28, 2006, but his legacy lives on through the HEADstrong Foundation. His family, along with dedicated staff and volunteers, have worked tirelessly to fulfill his vision, raising millions of dollars and supporting thousands of patients nationwide.
HEADstrong’s Impact: By the Numbers
The HEADstrong Foundation has made significant strides in supporting cancer patients and their families:
- Treats an average of 1,400 clients per month
- Works with 275 clinicians across 15 states and Washington, D.C.
- Has provided $19,354,889 in direct care for clients (as of 2012)
These numbers demonstrate the substantial reach and impact of the foundation, showcasing how Nick’s vision has transformed into a powerful force for good in the cancer community.
HEADstrong’s Programs and Services
What specific support does HEADstrong offer to cancer patients and their families? The foundation has developed a range of programs to address various needs:
- Financial Assistance: Helping families cope with the financial burdens of cancer treatment
- Housing Support: Providing a home away from home for patients seeking treatment
- Comfort Kits: Distributing care packages to newly diagnosed patients
- Peer Support: Connecting patients and survivors for emotional support
- Scholarship Programs: Supporting student-athletes affected by cancer
These programs embody Nick’s vision of comprehensive support for those affected by cancer, addressing both practical and emotional needs.
The Power of Sports in Cancer Support
Why did Nick choose to leverage the sports community in his fight against cancer? As a dedicated athlete himself, Nick understood the power of teamwork, perseverance, and community support inherent in sports. The HEADstrong Foundation harnesses these qualities to rally support for cancer patients and their families.
The foundation organizes various sports-related fundraising events, including lacrosse tournaments, runs, and charity games. These events not only raise funds but also increase awareness and foster a sense of community among participants.
Expanding HEADstrong’s Reach
How has the HEADstrong Foundation grown since its inception? The organization has expanded its reach significantly, now operating in multiple states and partnering with numerous healthcare institutions. This growth has allowed HEADstrong to impact more lives and provide support on a larger scale.
The foundation continues to explore new ways to fulfill Nick’s vision, including:
- Developing new programs to address evolving needs in cancer care
- Expanding geographical reach to serve more communities
- Strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers and other organizations
- Increasing awareness through digital platforms and social media
The Enduring Legacy of Nick Colleluori
How does Nick’s spirit continue to inspire the work of HEADstrong? Nick’s courage, determination, and compassion remain at the heart of the foundation’s mission. His famous quote, “Make use of the time you have and don’t stress the little things. Have a smile and enjoy what you can get out of life,” serves as a guiding principle for the organization and those it supports.
The Colleluori family, along with countless volunteers and supporters, work tirelessly to ensure that Nick’s legacy continues to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer. Through their efforts, Nick’s vision of a world where cancer patients and their families receive comprehensive support continues to become a reality.
Getting Involved with HEADstrong
How can individuals support the HEADstrong Foundation and contribute to its mission? There are numerous ways to get involved:
- Volunteering at events or in program delivery
- Making financial donations to support the foundation’s work
- Participating in fundraising events and sports tournaments
- Spreading awareness through social media and personal networks
- Partnering with HEADstrong as a healthcare provider or corporate sponsor
By engaging with HEADstrong, individuals and organizations can play a crucial role in extending Nick’s legacy and supporting those affected by cancer.
The HEADstrong Foundation stands as a testament to the power of one individual’s vision and the collective effort of a community. From its humble beginnings in Nick Colleluori’s hospital room to its current status as a national organization, HEADstrong continues to embody the spirit of its founder – relentless in the face of adversity, compassionate in its approach, and unwavering in its commitment to improving the lives of those affected by cancer.
As the foundation moves forward, it remains dedicated to expanding its reach, developing innovative programs, and fostering a supportive community for cancer patients and their families. Through these efforts, Nick Colleluori’s legacy continues to shine brightly, offering hope and support to those who need it most.
The story of HEADstrong serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact one person can have, even in the face of tremendous challenges. It encourages us all to consider how we can use our own experiences and passions to make a positive difference in the world, just as Nick did during his courageous battle with cancer.
As we reflect on the journey of HEADstrong, from its inception to its current impact, we are reminded of the importance of community, perseverance, and compassion in facing life’s greatest challenges. The foundation’s work exemplifies how a personal struggle can be transformed into a force for good, touching countless lives and creating a lasting legacy of hope and support.
The HEADstrong Foundation continues to evolve and grow, always guided by Nick’s vision and the needs of the cancer community. As it does so, it invites us all to be part of this important mission – to support, to care, and to strive for a world where no one faces cancer alone. Through collective effort and unwavering dedication, the dream of a young athlete continues to make a profound difference in the lives of many, proving that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Our Cancer Charity Founder | HEADstrong Foundation
An undersized 3 sport athlete noted for his never-give-up mental toughness, determination and aggressiveness, Nick received countless accolades in football, wrestling and lacrosse during his high school years.
He accepted an athletic scholarship to Hofstra University joining their Men’s Lacrosse Program, a childhood dream fulfilled. While at Hofstra, Nick took the field in all 16 games as a freshman, cracking the Pride’s lineup and seeing significant minutes on their man-down unit.
In April 2005, towards the end of his freshman season, Nick had difficulty hearing play calls and his family’s cheers during a game against Delaware. He woke up the following morning unable to hear from his right ear. He was evaluated by an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor who removed inflamed adenoids and biopsies revealed Nicholas was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
Nick shared the news with his team, withdrew from Hofstra and returned home with his family to be treated at The Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania. Though the initial diagnosis was positive, doctors later told the Colleluori’s that Nick should have lived for only three months due to aggressiveness of the cancer. But true to Nick’s relentless attitude, he endured a 14-month battle with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant, along with experimental treatments.
Shortly after being diagnosed, Nicholas recognized a lack of resources for cancer patients and their families. Experiencing firsthand the hardships, from his hospital bed he created the HEADstrong Foundation to raise awareness and funds for cancer by empowering athletes to support his mission. He drew the organization’s logo moments before entering the operating room for a procedure, and outlined its mission and future plans.
After doctors told Nicholas there was nothing they could do to prolong his life, Nicholas made his final wishes to his parents on a ride home from the hospital.
He took the car keys out of his father’s hands and said, ‘Dad, you’re too upset to drive. Mom, I want you to drive. Dad, I want you to get in the back seat because there are some things I need to talk to Mom about,’” Cheryl Colleluori recalls. “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,” he told her. “The lacrosse family is my brotherhood. They won’t turn their backs on you.”
Moments before Nick took his last breath, he asked his family to promise him that others following in his footsteps would benefit from his life. Today, the Colleluori family, the HEADstrong staff and volunteers are carrying out his vision raising millions of dollars and supporting thousands of patients nationwide.
Nicholas passed away on November 28, 2006, in his father’s arms. His legacy will live on forever.
“Make use of the time you have and don’t stress the little things. Have a smile and enjoy what you can get out of life.” – Nick Colleluori
Nick’s Vision
Nick’s short and long term vision
Overall
To tell my story and help others deal with cancer by expressing my opinions, experiences, and emotions.
Target local youth groups and school districts to speak out and empower them to maximize each healthy day they live.
Raise money for cancer research, cancer awareness, and the cure.
Emphasize the reality that is cancer.
Short Term
Get rid of the cancer, successful transplant, training, go to as many Hofstra games as possible. (Personal)
Return to school, train for lacrosse, become normal (original weight, stamina, endurance, strength, etc.
) (Personal)
Raise money to cover medical expenses and to start the foundation.
Long Term
Start a scholarship program for student athletes in the Delaware Valley Area fighting cancer.
HEADstrong becomes a national foundation affiliated with National Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and American Cancer Society.
Motivational speaking program for cancer patients.
The Colleluori’s last dinner with Nick
Nick’s last game he ever played in
Nick’s sketch of our original logo on a napkin
Nick Day 1 after his stem cell transplant
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Our Reach – Headstrong
On average, Headstrong treats 1,400 clients per month through
275 clinicians in 15 states and Washington, D.
C.
$19,354,889
in direct care for our clients
(2012 – 2021)
2012-2021
Our Growth
Client GrowthSession GrowthNumber of Clinicians
Our Presence
Headstrong’s growing clinical network focuses its capabilities across states where unmet mental health needs are highest. We plan to continue our expansion to ensure equitable access to high-quality, evidence-based and trauma-focused care for our nation’s military-connected families.
*Telehealth coverage is available for current clients who may relocate out of their home state during treatment.
Our Principles
Delivering Higher
Quality
The quality of Headstrong’s treatment model can be measured directly through our clinical outcomes and direct patient feedback. Our organization strives to provide quality care with progressive outcomes that speak directly to the mission of Headstrong.
Providing Greater
Access
Headstrong is committed to providing uninterrupted access to our mental healthcare services across all our program markets.
Having a critical mass of world-class clinical partners in each state, many of whom use telehealth, allows us to maximize access with availability while maintaining good therapist-client fit.
Safeguarding Personal
Trust
With a robust hybrid clinical care model, Headstrong provides high quality of care and uninterrupted access. The combination of these two foundational pillars support the value of our program. Our clients feel strongly about what Headstrong can offer and will regularly refer others to our organization.
Our Mission
COMMITMENT TO CARE
Testimonials
Testimonials
“Within a week, they had me in for my initial screening and matched me with a therapist. With the guidance of my therapist, I have now been able to better understand exactly what I am battling. Headstrong and my therapist helped me turn my life around. And for this, me and family will forever be grateful.”
– Jenna R.
“I returned home in mid-2003 and never saw Iraq again, but the war left with me.
Fortunately, I was able to get treatment at Headstrong and deal with the feelings of depression that came with those thoughts. I was able to turn a bad experience into a positive one and open up my life to now help my brothers and sisters in arms.”
– Aaron G.
“I really started advocating for veterans, but also my fellow caregivers because being a caregiver means finding the balance between selfless and selfish. Caregivers need a support system too and that’s the biggest takeaway I have from all of this. Veterans carry the burden of war home and their spouses and children are the ones to help them unpack that. It’s crucial that we address the mental health needs of not only veterans, but their families and loved ones too.
– Faun
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Alexander Korsik: “I am too stubborn: I don’t want to do what I don’t believe in”
Six theses of the President of Bashneft, who will resign in connection with the sale of Rosneft
After the decision to sell the oil company Bashneft Rosneft President of Bashneft Alexander Korsik resigns.
This follows from the company’s announcement of the holding of the board of directors, posted in the Interfax-SPARK database. There are five items on the agenda: on the early termination of the powers of the president of PJSOC Bashneft; on the appointment of the president; on early termination of powers of members of the board; on determining the quantitative composition of the board and electing its members; on convening an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders.
According to RBC sources, Andrey Shishkin, who now holds the post of vice president of Rosneft, will become the new president of the company. Vedomosti called Shishkin a tough person devoted to Igor Sechin. “Such things (to change management. – RBC ) must be done quickly, even in ideal companies there are a huge number of risks associated with a period of stagnation – a change in the controlling shareholder,” a source close to Rosneft told RBC.
Korsik joined Bashneft in April 2011, when the company was owned by AFK Sistema. After the nationalization of the oil company, he retained his post. Shortly before this happened, Korsik gave a detailed interview to Forbes, in which, among other things, he discussed what would happen to Bashneft after nationalization. Here are some of the most interesting sayings of Alexander Korsik.
About my first days at Bashneft:
Came to the office. I began to think: who will work? I don’t like to work (laughs) . So, those who love and who know how to do it should work. We selected people for a long time: 90% of success is a team. Some have changed, but the basis is highly professional people loyal to the company. I knew many of them from previous jobs – from Sibneft, Russneft, Itera, people from other companies in the industry, people who worked at Bashneft and who completely fit into our new corporate culture both professionally and by personal qualities.
About a possible departure from Bashneft:
For many years now I have not aspired to stay anywhere. The question is in a different plane: am I needed and am I ready to work in certain conditions? Now I don’t want to think about it. Today I have a different task – I need to lead the company through this difficult period without any losses, and then life will show. I want to go to work and enjoy what I do. Walking just to make money? I had such a period in my life, but it is long gone. I have no special claims: I don’t need a private jet or a yacht. I love to travel, and I definitely have enough money for this.
More than once I thought: maybe it’s time to finish? Why these sleepless nights, problems, nerves, stress, flights? The mind tells you that you need to take care of your family and pleasant things for which there is sorely not enough time.
But there is no certainty that subconscious motives will not defeat the mind.
About the fate of Bashneft after nationalization:
I would like Bashneft to remain an independent company, because I always believed that in the oil industry, like in any other, there should be many players. It seems to me that it would be wrong to reduce their number and limit competition. Even those who determine the direction of the industry should always be able to compare. For example, there are companies X, Y and Z. The first company does this, the second does the same, the third does it differently, but somehow it does everything much better. Maybe the first and second companies have problems? This cannot be recognized and errors cannot be corrected if there is no way to compare.
On the impact of the change of ownership on the team:
I asked all colleagues to follow a simple principle: what happens outside the company is absolutely outside our sphere of influence, and we cannot change anything here.
I was pleasantly surprised by the endurance and efficiency of our employees in this situation. I am proud of my team. Of course, people are stressed. They think about the future, and this is completely natural. But, fortunately, there are no demobilization moods in the poor sense of the word, and I had no doubt that there would be none.
About the interest of Rosneft:
Igor Ivanovich (Sechin, chief executive officer of Rosneft), if I am not mistaken, has publicly stated that Rosneft is not interested in taking over Bashneft. If we are talking about some kind of abstract takeover, then the goal of the (failed) SPO was completely different – to radically increase the liquidity of the company’s shares, to accept tough additional corporate governance obligations, making Bashneft more attractive to investors, which, naturally, should have lead to an increase in its value.
And, of course, make money.
About my shortcomings:
I think I’m too stubborn: I don’t want to do what I don’t believe in. For example, there is a certain ingenious project in which many people believe. But I don’t believe in it, because I’ve known this project for ten years, far and wide. And I will resist until the very end. In most cases, this resistance ends up with such a project not being accepted, but for those who believed in this project, the feeling is probably left that I am missing out on opportunities. But there is an understandable criterion – how successful the company is. I won’t talk about how successful she is. I just want to say that I do not remember a single global mistake. Although local, of course, were.
Read interview with Alexander Korsik “There should be many players in the oil industry”>>
stubborn | it’s.
.. What is stubborn?
InterpretationTranslation
- stubborn
- stubborn
app. , used comp. often
Morphology: stubborn , stubborn , stubborn , stubborn ; more stubborn ; ext. stubborn
1. A stubborn is a person who, in dealing with other people, constantly argues with them, acts in his own way, insists on being right, often contrary to necessity and common sense.
He is very stubborn: it is useless to waste time proving anything to him. | A stubborn debater, he could argue with anyone to the point of hoarseness, even if he was wrong.
2. Stubborn is a professional who persistently and consistently achieves any practical goals.
Stubborn gymnast. | Stubborn in an effort to become a star of the stage.
3. If someone is said to be stubborn like a donkey ( like a ram ), this means that this person senselessly resists something, disputes the arguments of sensible interlocutors, etc.
4. Stubborn is the character of a person who constantly shows unwillingness to agree with anyone or anything.
To break someone’s stubborn temper. | Nikolai’s stern and stubborn disposition did not open up pleasant prospects for future communication.
5. Stubborn is any property of a person that manifests itself persistently, constantly.
He returned to his favorite game with a stubborn persistence that only a twelve-year-old boy can do.
6. If you say that someone demonstrates a stubborn movement (aspiration) towards something, this means that this person constantly and persistently achieves something.
Stubborn progress towards a dream.
7. If someone is said to have, for example, a stubborn chin , then this means that the characteristic outlines of the chin suggest obstinacy, intractability in the character of this person.
Stubborn mouth. | Although his physiognomy was not distinguished by the regularity of features – sharp wrinkles at the mouth, a stubborn chin – it still inspired confidence in people.
8. Stubborn is thick, hard hair that cannot be combed or styled.
A stubborn tuft stuck out at the back of his head. | Stubborn curls framed her high, clean forehead.
9. Stubborn is an animal that cannot be influenced by a person, does not obey orders, commands, and cannot be trained.
