Family Support Fund in Honor of Lisa Nicholson

"Sometimes you get to choose your battles and sometimes they choose you."  Gabe Grunewald

This quote inspired my friend Lisa Marie Nicholson.  Lisa was one of the most optimistic, determined, hard working, giving, and loving people I know. In 2015 she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in which she fought it into submission. But in 2017, the "unwanted visitor", as Lisa referred to it, returned. The cancer had come back and metastasized. Since August 2020, the cancer continued to aggressively spread, yet she fought through numerous chemo treatments, radiation sessions, and a long-list of medications in hopes that the cure for more time would not be worse than the cancer itself.

I am asking for donations to support Lisa's family: Her husband Jeff Van Fleet and their children, Dylan (19) and Max (9).


"She never knew it would be THIS hard" 
I was lucky enough to meet Lisa when we were 18 years old, as basketball players at the University of Chicago.  I learned right away that Lisa (#34) was smart, sweet, very caring, and would not quit on anything or anyone! Even in the most difficult moments of her cancer treatments, and going into her last days of life, Lisa's perseverance allowed her to accomplish more than any other mortal person would think is possible.

Once while we were getting tests at the hospital to learn the latest news of  the cancer, I asked "how is your spirit doing about all this? How is your spirit feeling energy wise?"  She stared right into my eyes and said, "my body is really tired and it hurts so much. I never knew it would be THIS hard.  But, my spirit is not giving up. I just hope it will not be this hard forever, but for my family, my kids, I won't give up . Even if it does continue to be this hard, I have to live for them." 

Despite Lisa's superpower strength, the unwanted visitor stayed and spread in her body. The cancer spread into her bones, brain, liver, pancreas, and through her lymphatic system.  Lisa's spirit did not want to give up, but her body could not continue to function. She passed away Sunday, April 18.

"My Heart is Full."  Lisa Lived for Her Family
Lisa was an incredibly strong person who was determined to make a positive contribution to this world and to live every day to the fullest. She was going to live for as many days as possible, for her husband, Jeff, and their children Dylan and Max.  Lisa's family was her dharma  - her  personal "path of rightness".  Lisa would look at her husband and two kids, and say "my heart is full."

Lisa's goal was to have a fund that would support her family once she could no longer do so. (Lisa worked at her job at Tradewater, committed to cleaning up the environment, also to the end). She shared with me how anxious she was about  how to financially take care of them.  Unfortunately, she ran out of time to save what she wanted for them.  

Since many have offered to and asked how they can help, I set up this gofundme in response to Lisa's strong desire to have a fund to help her children once she is gone. Funds will immediately go towards any expenses the family incurs, including upkeep of their family home and the children's education cost.

Thank you in advance for your support! Lisa was also a very private person, and never liked to have anyone make any sort of fuss about her. But, I know this fund would mean a lot to Lisa and to her family. It is just one way to show how much we want to help her and how much we will dearly miss our Lisa.