The wonderful story of Nicole
Published on October 16th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - It is often said that good things come in small packages and for two Stoneham parents, that saying has been more than just cliche.
While Kerrie and Greg Raso knew their daughter Nicole was something special from the minute she was born, they came to find out through the ensuing years that she would also be a great source of strength for them.
Nicole was just three years old in December of 2000 when her family, who would much rather have been faced with the usual hubbub of the impending holidays, was hit with news that would turn their world upside down. Nicole was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
"When they tell you your child has leukemia ... you’re devastated," said Greg.
That was nearly two years ago and the child, who was so sick and had a mountain of chemotherapy treatments ahead of her that would make her feel even worse, is now a five year old Colonial Park School Kindergartner. Little Nicole is just three months away from her final cancer treatment.
"If you were to see her now, you would never know that she was sick,” said Raso.
Greg and Kerrie credit their daughter for getting them through this difficult time.
"We learned that she is a lot stronger than we are," Greg said, adding that his daughter is a resilient soul and through it all, has had a great attitude.
Among others Greg credits for helping his family through this ordeal is Children’s Hospital in Boston, and the Jimmy Fund.
Right after the initial diagnosis, Nicole was very sick and spent two months in Children’s Hospital.
Subsequent treatment trips were made every three weeks to the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
"They were amazing places for us.,” said Greg. “They treated us so well."
Greg said that it has been a long road getting to where they are today. With Nicole now feeling better, he and his wife felt that if there was a way to give back, they would take advantage of it.
That opportunity presented itself recently as Nicole was chosen to be spokespatient for the Jiffy Lube/Taco Bell Value Card Program.
Jiffy Lube and Taco Bell have teamed up to increase funding for cancer research. Since its inception five years ago, the program has helped raise over $1 million for the Jimmy Fund in its fight to cure childhood and adult cancer.
According to Jimmy Fund spokesperson Karen Cummings, ALL is the most common form of childhood cancer and has the highest cure rate of all childhood cancers. Cure rates have been increasing significantly, she added, for nearly all types of cancers since the Jimmy Fund was founded in 1948.
In addition to research for treatments and cures, the Jimmy Fund’s emphasis is on total patient care which includes care for family members, and anyone else who is part of the patient’s life.
The value card program is a great way for people to help families like Nicole’s who have had to depend on the care and expertise of the Jimmy Fund and the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana Farber.
"Almost anyone can relate to wanting to end cancer," Cummings said, and this program offers a win-win for both consumers and cancer patients.
Value cards can be purchased at any participating Jiffy Lube station or Taco Bell restaurant for a $2 contribution to the Jimmy Fund. The card offers up to $50 in savings including discounts on Jiffy Lube oil changes and Taco Bell meals.
Nicole’s reign as spokes-patient began on October 15 and runs through December 15. She has been sharing the spot light with seven year-old James Duclos from Bridgewater, another youngster who has been fighting and beating cancer. Together, Nicole and James have been treated to visits to local radio station Mix 98.5 where they recorded a commercial, and have taken in a Red Sox game.
"She’s like a little celebrity," said Greg of his daughter. "She’s eating it up."
"She was sick for so long, she didn’t get out much at all, so she is enjoying the attention," Kerrie said. "Plus, the Jimmy Fund is such a good cause and is doing such good work. We’re happy to help in any way."
Nicole should be enjoying the attention. When she was so sick, there were play dates and birthday parties that went on without her. Greg and Kerrie had to be cautious about letting Nicole be around other kids for fear she would pick up an infection that would further complicate her condition. In fact, they debated about whether or not to send her to kindergarten this year.
But following a meeting with Colonial Park School principal Maureen Burke last January, the Raso’s decided to send her and Nicole has adapted very well.
"She had a really tough time," Kerrie said of Nicole’s condition that had her bedridden, "but now she’s really enjoying going to school and being with the other children."
"They were wonderful," Greg said about the staff at Colonial Park School. "They said they would do anything to accommodate her."
Yet another small package has blessed the Raso’s life. Just two weeks following Nicole’s diagnosis, Kerrie found out she was pregnant. Gregory is now a 15 month-old baby who his dad describes as a "godsend."
While it was difficult to raise an infant amidst Nicole’s illness and her ensuing treatments for chemotherapy, baby Gregory served as a distraction during some of the tougher times.
This year the holiday hubbub will likely be welcomed in Greg and Kerrie Raso’s household as they celebrate with their children the gifts they have all been given.
There might even be a few more Jiffy Lube/Taco Bell Value Cards in their friends and relatives stockings.
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