Nikolas Life Saving Transplant Fund
Donation protected
For a few months, Summer Knight, a single-working mother, resisted the idea of raising money in Nikolas' name. Then the medical bills started streaming in, income loss due to caregiving, increase in cost of living, and relentless stress began weighing heavily on her already traumatized, grief-stricken, sleepless mind. We are rooting for Nik and rallying in every way possible for the Knights. The Nikolas Knight Family Fund is a chance for you to help! And here is why!
The Knight Twins - Nikolas and Katryana
What happened?
This landslide began in August when Summer found a lump on her throat. She told me that most people say that the worst two words you can hear together are "you" and "cancer". But it gets worse. Within weeks of her own surgery, Summer had to endure hearing the words "your child" and "cancer"...
Nikolas has Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. His team of oncologists is led by the top pediatric lymphoma doctor in the country, yet he is only the fifth child she has treated with this life-threatening disease.
Our Story in a Picture
Though we have all remained optimistic, this week we learned despite 3 rounds of chemotherapy, Nikolas' cancer has regrown rapidly in his bone marrow - he will require a bone marrow transplant to survive.
You know Healthy, Full-of-Life Nikolas
a compassionate friend, soccer kid, always on the go!
(this picture taken May 2016)
Nikolas 1-year later: May 2017
Never alone. Twin sister, Katryana, sleeping vigil.
Mom and Nik resting in the hospital bed while Nikolas receives chemotherapy.
Why does the Knight Family need monetary support?
Thirteen-year-old Nikolas has already lived at the hospital for over 67 days in the last five months. This treatment is extremely expensive.
The Economics to Conquering Cancer
Bone Marrow Transplant: $800,000 - $925,000
Cost of one chemotherapy drug administration: $2,500 per dose at home to $100,000s in the hospital
Cost of 24-hour hospital stay: $2,500 - as of May, Nikolas has spent
Insurance does not pay all these costs due to co-pays, carve-outs, and insurance limits.
Insurance Disaster
In addition, during Nikolas' nearly month-long initial hospital stay in December, their insurance lapsed. Summer learned of this January 4th while Nikolas was in surgery! The issue turned out to be a computer glitch, but took several weeks to rectify resulting in increasing medical debt.
How will my money be used?
1. This fund will first go to pay medical bills such as co-payments, premiums and what is not covered by insurance.
2. Nikolas requires intensive treatment in either the Oncology Clinic or hospital. We are committed that Nik has family with him at all times wanting him to always feel solidarity and comfort. He always has his mother or in situations to allow Summer to work, a family member at his side. A portion of your donation may go to help cover travel and stay expenses for family members to support the Knight family such as overnight stays at the hospital, relieving Summer, emotional support, and being physically present to keep the household functioning such as cooking, cleaning, and taking his twin sister Katryana to activities.
3. Nikolas is a kid. Even though the nausea and vomiting of chemo is debilitating, he tries to rebound and wants to play taking his mind off things. All who know him think about running and soccer, but now he's had to shift his lifestyle to more sedentary activities. He would like to keep entertained in the hospital such as video games, building robots, legos and art projects.
Start of 2016-2017 School Year
How can I help?
Please make your contribution through this website.
Do you have other ways you want to support the Knight Family? We want to hear from you.
To be part of daily updates, request access to Nikolas' Caring Village by emailing [email redacted]
As you can see by some of these pictures, the Knight Family faces adversity with humor and love.
Don't make me $Pole Dance$ for Chemotherapy!
Taking his mind off the side effects of Chemotherapy.
Nikolas is extremely brave and flexible. This picture was just taken after dealing with extreme side effects of chemotherapy. He had just been vomiting for 3 hours and skin is red, purple and swollen.
No Nik, we cannot subsidize our bills by selling hospital equipment while its still delivering your chemo!
Summer 2016
Summer 2017 (1-year later from the above picture.)
How cool is this kid! He's going through tests, bone marrow biopsies, chemotherapy, surgeries and still trying to have fun giving the thumbs up.
May 24, 2017 Exhausted from the ravages of Chemotherapy
Nikolas has life plans.
He wants to go to "the best college".
He wants to become a husband, father, and an excellent brother and son ("Mom, you will live between Katryana and me so we see you everyday").
He already sees his future as a kind, wise, caring man.
Help Nikolas realize his future plans.
Nikolas Knight Conquering Cancer
12/3/2016 - the day Nikolas and his Mom (Summer) realized that his life journey would include conquering cancer.
The Knight Twins - Nikolas and Katryana
What happened?
This landslide began in August when Summer found a lump on her throat. She told me that most people say that the worst two words you can hear together are "you" and "cancer". But it gets worse. Within weeks of her own surgery, Summer had to endure hearing the words "your child" and "cancer"...
Nikolas has Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. His team of oncologists is led by the top pediatric lymphoma doctor in the country, yet he is only the fifth child she has treated with this life-threatening disease.
Our Story in a Picture
Though we have all remained optimistic, this week we learned despite 3 rounds of chemotherapy, Nikolas' cancer has regrown rapidly in his bone marrow - he will require a bone marrow transplant to survive.
You know Healthy, Full-of-Life Nikolas
a compassionate friend, soccer kid, always on the go!
(this picture taken May 2016)
Nikolas 1-year later: May 2017
Never alone. Twin sister, Katryana, sleeping vigil.
Mom and Nik resting in the hospital bed while Nikolas receives chemotherapy.
Why does the Knight Family need monetary support?
Thirteen-year-old Nikolas has already lived at the hospital for over 67 days in the last five months. This treatment is extremely expensive.
The Economics to Conquering Cancer
Bone Marrow Transplant: $800,000 - $925,000
Cost of one chemotherapy drug administration: $2,500 per dose at home to $100,000s in the hospital
Cost of 24-hour hospital stay: $2,500 - as of May, Nikolas has spent
Insurance does not pay all these costs due to co-pays, carve-outs, and insurance limits.
Insurance Disaster
In addition, during Nikolas' nearly month-long initial hospital stay in December, their insurance lapsed. Summer learned of this January 4th while Nikolas was in surgery! The issue turned out to be a computer glitch, but took several weeks to rectify resulting in increasing medical debt.
How will my money be used?
1. This fund will first go to pay medical bills such as co-payments, premiums and what is not covered by insurance.
2. Nikolas requires intensive treatment in either the Oncology Clinic or hospital. We are committed that Nik has family with him at all times wanting him to always feel solidarity and comfort. He always has his mother or in situations to allow Summer to work, a family member at his side. A portion of your donation may go to help cover travel and stay expenses for family members to support the Knight family such as overnight stays at the hospital, relieving Summer, emotional support, and being physically present to keep the household functioning such as cooking, cleaning, and taking his twin sister Katryana to activities.
3. Nikolas is a kid. Even though the nausea and vomiting of chemo is debilitating, he tries to rebound and wants to play taking his mind off things. All who know him think about running and soccer, but now he's had to shift his lifestyle to more sedentary activities. He would like to keep entertained in the hospital such as video games, building robots, legos and art projects.
Start of 2016-2017 School Year
How can I help?
Please make your contribution through this website.
Do you have other ways you want to support the Knight Family? We want to hear from you.
To be part of daily updates, request access to Nikolas' Caring Village by emailing [email redacted]
As you can see by some of these pictures, the Knight Family faces adversity with humor and love.
Don't make me $Pole Dance$ for Chemotherapy!
Taking his mind off the side effects of Chemotherapy.
Nikolas is extremely brave and flexible. This picture was just taken after dealing with extreme side effects of chemotherapy. He had just been vomiting for 3 hours and skin is red, purple and swollen.
No Nik, we cannot subsidize our bills by selling hospital equipment while its still delivering your chemo!
Summer 2016
Summer 2017 (1-year later from the above picture.)
How cool is this kid! He's going through tests, bone marrow biopsies, chemotherapy, surgeries and still trying to have fun giving the thumbs up.
May 24, 2017 Exhausted from the ravages of Chemotherapy
Nikolas has life plans.
He wants to go to "the best college".
He wants to become a husband, father, and an excellent brother and son ("Mom, you will live between Katryana and me so we see you everyday").
He already sees his future as a kind, wise, caring man.
Help Nikolas realize his future plans.
Nikolas Knight Conquering Cancer
12/3/2016 - the day Nikolas and his Mom (Summer) realized that his life journey would include conquering cancer.
Organiser and beneficiary
Corinna Bowser
Organiser
Narberth, PA
Summer Knight
Beneficiary
