Teen helps raise money for pediatric cancer
Nick Swandrak, 18, of Cranford, NJ, teamed up with retired NFL Coach Tom Coughlin to raise money for local families facing pediatric cancer on October 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York. In a speech to a crowd of nearly 500 professional athletes, celebrities and supporters at the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund’s annual Champions for Children Gala, Swandrak shared his own journey of being diagnosed and treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and his subsequent relapse earlier this year. The Jay Fund, the nonprofit founded by the two-time Super Bowl winning coach of the New York Giants, marked its 17th year of providing financial, emotional and practical support for families tackling pediatric cancer in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area.
Swandrak knows all too well the challenges families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer, and he is passionate about raising awareness and funds to support them. He has spent much of the last four years enduring grueling cancer treatments and being isolated from his friends due to his immunocompromised condition. His family, like all families who have a child with cancer, has faced expensive medical bills coupled with rising inflation and record-high food costs.
Swandrak and his family have been supported by the Jay Fund throughout his treatment.
“The Jay Fund covered our mortgage payments when our bills became overwhelming and has given me experiences that I will never, ever forget,” Swandrak told the crowd of current and former New York Giants, business leaders and Jay Fund families and supporters.
Swandrak’s emotional words captivated the audience, and his speech was one of the highlights of a night that raised $1.25 million for the Jay Fund and the families it serves in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area.
“Nick is a remarkable young man and a current Jay Fund scholarship recipient,” said Mary Jane Pulzello, Managing Director of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund in NY/NJ. “He received a standing ovation from the audience, as many were deeply moved by this young man’s courage and tenacity in fighting cancer for more than four years.”
Swandrak thanked his medical team who continue to help him through this fight, as well as his friends and family who have lifted him up from day one. He saved his most heartfelt appreciation for his parents, stating their love and support have been everything to him.
“As of today, I’ve had 126 chemo shots, 28 spinal taps, and over 200 days sleeping on scratchy hospital sheets,” Swandrak told the crowd. “Fighting cancer is tough. You’re in bed, and sick a lot of the time. There are days that are a real struggle. But I’m looking forward to ringing that bell for the second time this December and being back in remission.”
