Hello, our names are Rick Filtz and Rebecca O'Connell. We are Nick’s Dad and Sister. We are fundraising on Nick's behalf because he was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on February 6, 2023. When Nick got the news both he and his Dad were sitting in a small cramped room in the Emergency Ward at Morristown Memorial Hospital. They both knew that something was wrong with him but never could have imagined that Nick had cancer.

A.L.L. (as it is also known as) is the most common childhood cancer. Nick was diagnosed with it at age 30. A.L.L. occurs when a bone marrow cell develops errors in its DNA.

“Acute” means that the leukemia can progress quickly, and if not treated, would probably be fatal within a few months. "Lymphocytic" means it develops from early (immature) forms of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

A.L.L. starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made). Most often, the leukemia cells invade the blood fairly quickly. They can also sometimes spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testicles (in males).

Symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, bruising, fever, bone pain, bleeding from the gums, and frequent infections. Treatments may include chemotherapy or targeted drugs that specifically kill cancer cells.

After being diagnosed he immediately went into the hospital to start this first round of chemotherapy which consisted of a 30 day stay at the hospital. After completing his initial round of chemotherapy he continued to battle the cancer at home while going in and out of the hospital due to extreme reactions from his chemotherapies. Due to his bodies reactions from the chemotherapy he has been unable to work and attend drills with his Medic Unit in the Army since January 2023. These are months he will never get back.

We are asking for your help to defray all of his medical expenses. He so wants all of this to end so he can get on with his life. Due to the multiple rounds of chemotherapy and hospital stays, Nick has been eating away quickly at his savings. Nick will use his donations to help pay off his medical bills as well as get back onto his feet. Any amount you're willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated and if you aren't able to contribute money at this time, a share with your friends would mean the world to us and to Nick.