My name is Nicholas Peña, I am three years old and I have Brain Cancer. My headaches started just before my third birthday on March 6, 2009. On March 18th I started scream in pain and my Mommy and Daddy, Viv and Sabrina Peña, rushed me to the hospital. Later that month, I was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma, which is a very rare type of tumor that only accounts for 8% of all cancers in the whole world. I had seven surgeries over a seven month period. My original tumor covered 1/4 of my brain and was pushing my brain stem to the right side. Unfortunately, my type of tumor does not respond to chemo and very little research has been done on this type of cancer. I was sooo lucky that my parents are wonderful caring resourceful people, and they found a miraculous surgeon – Dr. Andrew Jea at Texas Children’s Hospital who was so awesome; he was able to remove almost all of the primary tumor, which was located up against the brain stem and between the skull and the brain. After 6 weeks of radiation and months of therapy, I have now learned, all over again, how to eat, talk, and walk. I still have a secondary tumor (cancer) and will need an additional surgery and more treatment in the coming year. My fight is not over and through it all, I still smile, laugh and know that each day is "A Beautiful Day!" I tell my mommy this every day!
My mom and dad are like most middle class parents in America today; they both work hard to provide for me and my nine year old brother, Alex. The medical expenses not covered by our insurance and living so far from home during my treatment have exhausted our savings, and I know there are more expenses to come. You can help us several different ways and be a partner in my fight against cancer!
1. DINNER AND BENEFIT CONCERT TICKETS: We are having a benefit concert, dinner and an auction on January 9, 2010, in San Angelo, Texas, at The Venue (4611 S. Jackson). Michael Martinez, the manager of The Venue, is donating the club, and Jake Hooker and Outsiders have donated their talent. (http://www.jakehookermusic.com) (http://www.sanangelovenue.com) You can purchase tickets for $25 each by calling 325-632-2105 or 325-632-2011. Give more meaning to your holiday giving with the gift that gives twice – benefit tickets!
2. SILENT AUCTION: JR Sparks Saddlery in Merton, Mack Altizer, Bad Company Rodeo in Del Rio, and Kimberly Inks with the Palladium Spa in San Angelo, have already committed to donating items for the auction. Your donation can help make this a successful event that will be fun for everyone. We will make sure that your business is included when marketing the event and that your item is clearly marked as being donated by you. Every donation (large or small) will make a huge difference. What a great way to advertise your business and join my fight against Cancer!
3. TAX DEDUCTABLE CASH DONATIONS: We have also partnered with a 501(c)(3) non Profit, Christian Servant Outreach Ministries, 15661 Hwy 64 East, Tyler, TX 75707 where you can make tax deductible donations to Nicky. BE SURE to put for “Nicky Peña” on your check to ensure 100% of all donations go directly to Nicky’s family.(http://www.christianservantradio.com)
I welcome all your prayers and hope that you will follow my battle against cancer at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nicholaspena. Please call 325-632-2105 or 325-632-2011 if you want to join my fight against cancer…we can win!
Wishing you "A Beautiful Day"
Nicky