HEADstrong FoundationImproving Lives Affected By CancerContact: Pat ColleluoriPhone: 610-461-5987Email: Pat@HEADstrong.org
MEDIA ALERT
HEADstrong to Host Ceremonial Groundbreaking at Nick’s House Swarthmore, 7/6
EVENT: Nick’s House Swarthmore Groundbreaking CeremonyDATE: Thursday, July 6, 2017LOCATION: Nick’s House SwarthmoreADDRESS: 200 S. Chester Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081TIME: 11:00AM-12:00PMHEADSTRONG MEDIA/SITE CONTACT: Pat Colleluori – (m) 610-952-8191 or Pat@HEADstrong.orgTARGET BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CONTACT: Bill Stevenson – (m) 610-656-5852 or Bills@targetbuilding.comBrianna DiPietro – (m) 610-761-7069 or Briannad@targetbuilding.comOn Thursday, July 6th at 11:00AM EST, the HEADstrong Foundation alongside of building partners, local officials, esteemed members of the community and supporters will gather for a ceremonial groundbreaking to commemorate the start of construction and renovations at Nick’s House, Swarthmore. The family home located at 200 South Chester Road in Swarthmore, PA will welcome patients, caregivers and their families seeking comprehensive cancer care and clinical trials in the region. A full renovation of the home, originally constructed in 1893 will commence to meet the unique needs of patients and their families. This will be the second family home operated by the HEADstrong Foundation in the region and will provide an additional 2,555 complimentary nights of comfort, support and respite annually.It was the vision of beloved Delaware County native, the late Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori, to find a way to ease the anxieties and burdens plaguing families affected by cancer. At just 19 years old, Colleluori himself was terminally diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and conceptualized the HEADstrong Foundation from his hospital bed. The HEADstrong mission is to improve lives affected by cancer by inspiring change for real families, helping them to navigate their cancer journey with greater dignity, clarity, normalcy and quality of life. With an emphasis on tackling the accessibly and affordability of care, which Colleluori recognized as one of the most critically underserved areas and the one most taxing on his own family the organization was born. An encounter with a financially exhausted family who was living out of their car in the hospital parking garage, shed light on another major problem facing the patient population; the availability of treatment. This particular family traveled more than 1,000 miles so that their loved one could receive a potentially lifesaving bone marrow transplant but with amounting medical, household and travel related expenses this family had exhausted all of their available resources and were literally backed into a corner. The Colleluori’s, who had an empty bedroom, embraced this family, extending to them the comforts of home for the duration of their stay in the Greater Philadelphia area. In the latter part of Colleluori’s own battle, he and his family were displaced to Bethesda, MD for a clinical trial. Nick Colleluori passed away on November 28, 2006 and his last wish was for others to benefit from his experience and for his family to see the HEADstrong Foundation into fruition.Each month, more than 200 families travel to the Greater Philadelphia Region seeking cancer related treatment. The availability of Nick’s House can be the deciding factor for patients and families being able to pursue leading-edge therapies or deciding against continued treatment because of financial or family circumstances. With an average guest family stay of 6 weeks, Nick’s House will relieve a family of more than $10,000 in out of pocket expenses and will serve as a great compliment to the medical landscape of the region.CEREMONIAL SHOVELS Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President & Nick’s MotherPat Colleluori Sr., Nick’s FatherPat Colleluori Jr, HEADstrong CMO & Nick’s BrotherMichael Colleluori, HEADstrong Vice President & Nick’s BrotherDaniel Colleluori, Nick’s BrotherDavid Calvaresi, HEADstrong ChairmanRich Goodman, President, Target Building ConstructionJohn Dougherty, IBEW 98Bob Boland, IBEW 98Don Conneen, Founder, Design Management & Construction, Inc.Tim Kearney, Mayor of SwarthmoreDavid J. White, Delaware County Council & Owner, DWD Mechanical Contractor Inc.Ben Austin, Current Nick’s House GuestPat Meehan, CongressmanLeanne Kreuger-Braneky, State RepresentativeJane Billings, Swarthmore Borough ManagerABOUT HEADSTRONG FOUNDATIONThe HEADstrong Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving lives affected by cancer. HEADstrong is committed to helping patients and their families navigate their cancer journey with greater clarity, dignity, normalcy and quality of life. We exist to serve as a direct support system and mentor to families who have been both financially and emotionally devastated by cancer.Since 2007, HEADstrong invested more than $.90 of every dollar raised to evolve a service offering that is 100% committed to improving the quality of life for families affected by cancer. HEADstrong grants financial assistance, funds projects to improve the inpatient experience, provides meals and outlets of entertainment, delivers comfort kits, peer support and most notably operates Nick’s House. Since our inception, HEADstrong has provided support, guidance and aid to more than 14,000 families. (HEADstrong.org)NICK’S HOUSE Originally opened in 2011, Nick’s House, is a haven of comfort for families seeking comprehensive cancer care in the Greater Philadelphia Region that is operated by the HEADstrong Foundation. Nick’s House is a complimentary extended-stay family respite that provides lodging and support to patients, families and/or caregivers receiving cancer related treatment. In 2017, HEADstrong expanded Nick’s House to encompass a second location providing an additional 2,555 annual nights of complimentary lodging and support annually.###
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