Nico has been diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer in his spinal cord and brain known as primary diffuse leptomeningeal giloneuronal tumor.  Initial symptoms began in May 2019 with frequent vomiting that was intermittent and unexplained.  After a series of gastro and infectious disease tests, treatment for a kidney stone plus his gall bladder removed, doctors determined Nico was suffering from neurological symptoms.  An MRI in late October revealed swelling in the brain, predominant in the area that controls vomiting.  The biopsy of Nico’s brain on November 1st found cancerous tissue and tumors in the spine and throughout the brain.

Nico will begin chemotherapy and radiation everyday for 6 weeks beginning next week, as soon as the staples are removed from his biopsy surgery.   After this initial treatment and further diagnosis of the growth and cause, treatment will be ongoing.

Nico is a scholar/athlete who does not sit still for long and will put his studies on hold this semester at Texas A and M.  Nico is determined to continue to train on the Texas A and M triathlon team and get back in the pool soon. 

Friends and co-workers of the Luzardo’s are asking for help to support Nico and his family as they fight this battle.  Nico, Liliana, Raul, twin bother Andres and Little Raul appreciate any support and encouragement.  Lets all work together to help the family financially so that focus can be on healing Nico and killing this cancer!