Hi, my name is Brantlee, and I’m organizing this fundraiser for my niece and goddaughter, Nicole Noel Pressley, and her family, Marcus & Aida. In April of 2024, Nicole discovered a lump on her chest. She was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, with a RAD51 gene mutation. She underwent treatment, and became cancer-free at one point. However, complications continued and what was not anticipated was the appearance of leptomeningeal cancer, where cancer cells jump into the membranes surrounding the spinal column and brain. This is a very rare complication, affecting about 5% of cancer patients. Nicole drew a terrible lottery on this one, and the rare and aggressive disease took her over quickly. Even on her last day, she whispered, “This is fucked up.” We know, Colie, we know it is.
Our family is setting up this fundraiser to support her husband Marcus and their four-year old daughter Aida. If you knew Colie, you know that she had a determined mindset and a belief in herself and others that didn’t quit. She dealt with the present and planned for the future. She uplifted others and gave hope just by believing in them. We never wanted to let her down because she never let herself down. One of the beautiful ways she demonstrated this was with the love of her life, Marcus. She encouraged him to follow his dreams and use his crazy-mad people skills to help others to heal themselves. Marcus started his own therapy practice in recent years, and we want to see Marcus continue building these services because he’s an incredible source of support and healing to others. He practices what he preaches. Aida has the best dad!
We know how much love surrounded Nicole throughout her life and in her final days, and many of you have asked how to help. All funds raised are going directly to Marcus and Aida, to support their home, therapy practice and future education. This support will help relieve immediate financial stress so the family can focus on living a life that Nikki would have wanted them to fully live. We appreciate your support—your kindness, your love, your memories. They mean more than we can express. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers.
Family and friends may call at the Whitten Residence, 135 Keen Road, Spring City, PA on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. A Remembrance Celebration will be held at 2:00 pm.