Nick's Celebration of Life Fundraiser
Donation protected
This is our dear friend Nick Cochran. He is 28 years old. Nick has two loving parents, Dan and Kelley and two younger sisters, Grace and Emma. He was raised in Alamo, California and was brought up with a true love for the outdoors and a huge passion for the game of baseball. Nick attended De La Salle High School where he displayed exemplary discipline in the classroom and on the baseball diamond. Nick then attended the University of Puget Sound in the state of Washington where he continued to follow his passion of baseball while studying marine biology. Other than baseball, Nick’s other true love is water. He loves to surf, SCUBA dive, swim, and fish. Nick’s family has always played a huge support role to him throughout school, sports, and hobbies.
On October 10, 2019, Nick was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. The cancer was in the form of a large tumor in the muscle of his left chest wall. Nick has been nothing but a warrior since day one and has taken this challenge head on with no complaints. Nick started chemotherapy on October 30th, 2019. His treatments alternated between 3 day treatments and 5 day treatments every three weeks for a total of 17 rounds. All the while working nearly full time with the San Jose Fire Department. Nick is the Fire Equipment Technician and Air Operations Manager for the department.
After a few months of regular Chemotherapy, Nick underwent surgery on January 29th, 2020 in order to remove the tumor which had now been shrunk to the size of a golf ball with the help of chemotherapy. This was a successful surgery and it was believed that all of the cancer had been removed. Nick continued his regular chemotherapy treatments for the remainder of the year. After the completion of his year long chemotherapy treatment plan, he was believed to be cancer free. A later PET Scan revealed and new tumor in a similar area. Nick was now faced with yet another hurdle and had some decisions to make. His current health care provider wanted to continue with treatment, however he was offered a revolutionary procedure from UCSF. Nick knew this radical procedure at UCSF was the right path for him. With this decision came yet another hurdle as his current provider refused to sponsor the procedure at UCSF. Nick advocated for himself with his insurance provider and doctors, and his request was eventually honored.
Nick underwent this extremely invasive procedure on December 14, 2020. The procedure consisted of removing the tumor, multiple ribs, a large amount of muscle tissue from his flank and back, intraoperative radiation therapy, and finally placing a mesh cage where his ribs were removed. Once again, this surgery was thought to be a complete success. During this time, Nick was able to switch insurance coverage in order to ensure he could continue treatment at UCSF. In the weeks following the procedure, Nick began experiencing fluid build up between his lung and chest wall (pleural effusion). He was admitted back in to UCSF on February 13, 2021 after a second pleural effusion was discovered. While at UCSF, Nick received more unwanted news after another PET Scan was performed. Cancer was now detected on his lungs, pleural cavity, spine, and left hip…Yet another hurdle. Nick most recently began chemotherapy treatments again on February 16th, 2021.
While the change of the insurance was the best course of action, it does not fully cover his treatment. Past procedures, future procedures and treatment, and other care will not be completely covered. However, it was a very necessary change that was required for him to receive the appropriate life saving care. Along with Western medicine, Nick has been utilizing Eastern medicine techniques which has significantly helped him with nausea, pain, and healing, however it is not covered by insurance. We are all asking for any sized donation to assist Nick and his family with health care bills and other care. The very last thing they should have to worry about in these times is paying for his treatment and procedures. We understand that these are difficult times for all, so at the very least we ask that you say a prayer for Nick’s recovery and a long, healthy life.
For those that don’t know Nick, he is the most strong willed, determined, and motivated person we have ever met. When Nick sets his mind to something, that task is going to be completed with no stone left unturned. He is one of the most caring people to walk this earth and always puts others before himself. Nick has accomplished more, and overcome more life hurdles than a vast majority of people ever experience in an entire lifetime. Simply put, Nick is one of a kind. There is no one else like him. Nick aspires to one day become a full time firefighter and he is well on his way. It has never been more important for us, as a society, to come together and help those in need. Nick has overcome many hurdles during this journey, which is why there is not a doubt in our mind that Nick WILL get through this one. Outside help would just make the journey a lot smoother. We thank you for taking the time to learn about Nick’s story and hope that you can help.
With Gratitude,
The Cochrans, Friends, and Family
On October 10, 2019, Nick was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. The cancer was in the form of a large tumor in the muscle of his left chest wall. Nick has been nothing but a warrior since day one and has taken this challenge head on with no complaints. Nick started chemotherapy on October 30th, 2019. His treatments alternated between 3 day treatments and 5 day treatments every three weeks for a total of 17 rounds. All the while working nearly full time with the San Jose Fire Department. Nick is the Fire Equipment Technician and Air Operations Manager for the department.
After a few months of regular Chemotherapy, Nick underwent surgery on January 29th, 2020 in order to remove the tumor which had now been shrunk to the size of a golf ball with the help of chemotherapy. This was a successful surgery and it was believed that all of the cancer had been removed. Nick continued his regular chemotherapy treatments for the remainder of the year. After the completion of his year long chemotherapy treatment plan, he was believed to be cancer free. A later PET Scan revealed and new tumor in a similar area. Nick was now faced with yet another hurdle and had some decisions to make. His current health care provider wanted to continue with treatment, however he was offered a revolutionary procedure from UCSF. Nick knew this radical procedure at UCSF was the right path for him. With this decision came yet another hurdle as his current provider refused to sponsor the procedure at UCSF. Nick advocated for himself with his insurance provider and doctors, and his request was eventually honored.
Nick underwent this extremely invasive procedure on December 14, 2020. The procedure consisted of removing the tumor, multiple ribs, a large amount of muscle tissue from his flank and back, intraoperative radiation therapy, and finally placing a mesh cage where his ribs were removed. Once again, this surgery was thought to be a complete success. During this time, Nick was able to switch insurance coverage in order to ensure he could continue treatment at UCSF. In the weeks following the procedure, Nick began experiencing fluid build up between his lung and chest wall (pleural effusion). He was admitted back in to UCSF on February 13, 2021 after a second pleural effusion was discovered. While at UCSF, Nick received more unwanted news after another PET Scan was performed. Cancer was now detected on his lungs, pleural cavity, spine, and left hip…Yet another hurdle. Nick most recently began chemotherapy treatments again on February 16th, 2021.
While the change of the insurance was the best course of action, it does not fully cover his treatment. Past procedures, future procedures and treatment, and other care will not be completely covered. However, it was a very necessary change that was required for him to receive the appropriate life saving care. Along with Western medicine, Nick has been utilizing Eastern medicine techniques which has significantly helped him with nausea, pain, and healing, however it is not covered by insurance. We are all asking for any sized donation to assist Nick and his family with health care bills and other care. The very last thing they should have to worry about in these times is paying for his treatment and procedures. We understand that these are difficult times for all, so at the very least we ask that you say a prayer for Nick’s recovery and a long, healthy life.
For those that don’t know Nick, he is the most strong willed, determined, and motivated person we have ever met. When Nick sets his mind to something, that task is going to be completed with no stone left unturned. He is one of the most caring people to walk this earth and always puts others before himself. Nick has accomplished more, and overcome more life hurdles than a vast majority of people ever experience in an entire lifetime. Simply put, Nick is one of a kind. There is no one else like him. Nick aspires to one day become a full time firefighter and he is well on his way. It has never been more important for us, as a society, to come together and help those in need. Nick has overcome many hurdles during this journey, which is why there is not a doubt in our mind that Nick WILL get through this one. Outside help would just make the journey a lot smoother. We thank you for taking the time to learn about Nick’s story and hope that you can help.
With Gratitude,
The Cochrans, Friends, and Family
Organizer and beneficiary
Daniel O’Brien
Organizer
Livermore, CA
Nicholas Cochran
Beneficiary