Hello everyone! Thanks for taking a moment to read about Nik and his cancer journey.

Nik Miner is a husband to his wife Haley and father to 2 precious daughters. He loves the Red Sox and plays in a local baseball league. He served in the Navy with deployments on nuclear submarines. He then joined civilian life and settled in Longmeadow with his family. Nik is somewhat of a unicorn if you ask his wife, Haley : ). But in the fall of 2024, he became ill with a respiratory infection. He lost a lot of weight and developed a cough that wouldn't go away.

In December of 2024, Nik landed at Mass General Hospital after not feeling well for a couple of months. Right before Christmas, Nik went through test after test and was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (he is a unicorn afterall). He was diagnosed with a Yolk Sac Germ Cell Tumor in his chest with metastases. He started inpatient chemotherapy treatments which included 5 straight days of infusions on a 21 day cycle. Haley took a leave of absence from work to help take care of Nik during his treatments. She drove back and forth between home and Boston to be with Nik and her girls. Nik completed 4 rounds of chemo. He was reevaluated by his medical team and received promising news. His metastases and lab values were much better. Nik started feeling better too. He gained some weight, was able to spend more time playing with his kids, and started feeling like "a normal 36 year old." Things were looking up! His medical team thought surgery to remove the chest mass would be soon. They recommended one more round of chemo at Mass General. However, after his 5th round of chemo in the beginning of April, his cancer markers started to elevate. Thoughts of surgery were put on hold for more chemo and other possible treatments.

Nik will be starting his 6th round of chemo in May at Mass General. Various treatments and surgery are still ahead. While he and his family have been on this journey for about 6 months, they remain positive and hopeful.

The Miner family has taken this all in stride, finding moments of joy through this stressful time. They have a wonderful support system of family and friends who have been by their side this whole time. So many people continue to reach out asking how they can help.

There are so many unexpected expenses that have incurred and will continue to accrue as Nik continues treatment. Haley has taken one leave of absence from work, and it's very likely she will need to do this again for future treatments and surgery. Your donations will allow her and the kids to support Nik in his recovery.

Thank you all for your love and support through this very difficult time. Nik and Haley are so grateful to you all for everything you have done up to this point and for your future help.

With gratitude,

Courtney (Haley's bestie and Nik's BFFL)