HEADSTRONG FOUNDATION

The HEADstrong Foundation for blood cancer is committed to finding a cure for all blood cancers.  The foundation is dedicated to its founder Nicholas Colleluori.  The foundation strives on Nick’s quote, “Making 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.”

The HEADstrong Foundation was started in 2005, when Nicholas Colleluori was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an aggressive type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system.  During his relentless 14 month battle with this disease, undergoing intense chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and experimental treatments, Nick was determined to start a foundation that would support the blood cancer community.  He created the name HEADstrong through his childhood nickname “HEAD” and the word “strong” defining his mental and physical toughness.  While waiting to go into the operating room for a procedure he asked for paper and a pencil, which is where he drew the logo for the foundation, a lacrosse stick on its side with a cancer ribbon around the HEAD.  Nick wanted to use the lacrosse community as his avenue to tell his story because he knew that his brotherhood would never let him down.  The color palette that Nick chose was “lime green” representing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and “royal blue and gold” which represents his alma mater, Hofstra University; his lifeline during his illness.

Despite his deteriorating health, Nick spent many hours working on his laptop learning about non-profit organizations and creating word documents of what he envisioned.  Days before his passing, Nick’s energy for others was communicated to his family and he made them promise that they would see his vision come to reality.  Although, on November 28th, 2006 Nick ultimately lost his life to lymphoma, he established the framework for the HEADstrong Foundation and has impacted the lives of thousands of people.

A Promise Fulfilled

Only after a brief period of grieving, Nick’s family discovered the documents that he created on his computer for the HEADstrong Foundation.  This was beginning stages of what is now the HEADstrong Foundation and the first steps to fulfilling our promise to Nick.

Our Growth

The HEADstrong Foundation has experienced tremendous growth since its inception and has raised numerous funds to carry out our mission. We are recruiting you to join Team HEADstrong in our battle for finding a cure and eliminating this disease. Please join our effort to bring Nick’s vision to reality to promote cancer awareness, support research and help eliminate this disease.