As the HEADstrong Foundation, an organization committed to improving lives affected by cancer and alleviating the financial burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis, marks its 20th anniversary, the organization is expanding its mission to North Carolina with the establishment of Nick’s House Village Durham, providing free housing for families traveling to the area for cancer treatment.
Located just 1.3 miles from Duke Cancer Center and 13.2 miles from The University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Nick’s House Village Durham will include three homes located at 2532, 2534, and 2536 W. Wilson Street in Durham. Together, the homes can accommodate up to six families at one time, providing patients and their caregivers with a comfortable and supportive home away from home throughout treatment, at no cost.
Nick’s House currently operates in Philadelphia and Boston, helping ease the financial and emotional burden families face when traveling for cancer care. With the expansion to Durham, HEADstrong will continue its mission of removing housing costs and everyday stresses so patients and their loved ones can focus on what matters most: treatment, healing, and time together. The HEADstrong Foundation currently provides 4,380 complimentary nights of lodging each year, offsetting more than $550,000 in out-of-pocket housing costs for families traveling for treatment.
Founded in 2006, the HEADstrong Foundation was created by Nick Colleluori while he was battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 19 years old. During his treatment, Nick saw firsthand the financial and emotional challenges facing families affected by cancer and envisioned an organization that would help ease those burdens. After Nick passed away later that year, his mother, Cheryl Colleluori, committed herself to carrying forward his mission, growing HEADstrong into a nationwide organization that has supported thousands of families across the country.
“Nick's House is at the heart of our mission of supporting families impacted by cancer,” said Cheryl Colleluori, President of the HEADstrong Foundation. “First in Philadelphia, then Boston, and now Durham, it exists to give families a home away from home when they have to travel for cancer treatment. As we mark this major milestone, HEADstrong's next chapter is deeply rooted in the promise we made 20 years ago: that no family should face cancer alone or be denied access to the best possible care because of geography, circumstance, or income.”
The Duke Cancer Institute and University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center are nationally recognized for their comprehensive and advanced cancer care, with both designated as NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Patients travel from across the United States and internationally to access their innovative therapies, clinical trials, and specialized oncology programs. World-class treatment often comes with financial and logistical challenges, making lodging a critical need.
“North Carolina made sense for HEADstrong the moment we looked at the numbers,” said Cheryl Colleluori. “At Duke Cancer Institute alone, 25% of patients travel more than 200 miles for care, and for some specialized oncology programs, that number climbs to 90% traveling more than 250 miles to get the treatment they need. As diagnoses rise and treatment becomes more specialized, the demand for cost-free lodging here will only grow. North Carolina isn't just where the need is greatest right now, it's also where we can make the biggest difference for families in the years ahead."
Community members can help welcome families to Nick’s House Village Durham by purchasing needed household items through the Nick’s House Village Durham Amazon Wish List. Donations will help furnish and stock the homes with everyday essentials, creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for families throughout their stay.
For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation, please visit their website, headstrong.org. Follow their Instagram @headstrongfnd and Facebook page HEADstrong Foundation.
About HEADstrong Foundation
The HEADstrong Foundation is committed to improving lives affected by cancer. Founded by Nicholas Colleluori, a Division I athlete who was terminally diagnosed with cancer, HEADstrong carries forward his vision by providing residential, emotional and financial support to families across the country. At the core of its mission is Nick’s House, a network of guest homes offering free lodging to families displaced by treatment. With nearly two decades of impact, HEADstrong stands as the ultimate teammate to those in the fight of their lives by providing access to the care they need the most.
.svg){kind=icon}
.avif)
