The Brooks’ Rally to Beat Cancer!

My best and very dear friend of almost twenty-three years, Nancy (Nikki) Baack -Brooks was diagnosed with stage three ER+ PR+ HER2+ (Triple Positive) Breast Cancer. For those of you who know Nikki, she is a remarkable person. She is always loving, funny, unbelievably strong, and always puts her friends and family before herself! Sadly, her husband Curtis Brooks has recently battled thyroid cancer for the second time. Nikki has been a stay at home mom to help support and care for her husband and son Trevor who is seventeen and completing his schooling from home. Nikki is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has lost all of her hair. Testing confirms cancer in a lymph node.  As a result, Nikki may undergo a full mastectomy after chemo, follwed by radiation. Because of all this cancer the Brooks’ have been dealing with medical expenses that are adding up. Some of their medical expenses are not covered and with the everyday necessities of life, money is limited.

The Brooks’ are one of the strongest, most selfless couples you will ever know and Curtis is literarily one of the toughest men I know. My late father always laughed and said, "if your ever backed in a corner, you want Curtis Brooks on your side."  Curtis is a strong man emotionally and physically that has endured his share and now he has to witness this pain with his wife battling breast cancer. This couple has the most amazing love and admiration for each other and others. Curtis has participated in multiple fundraiser events and recently completed a motorcyle run with Trevor for Duke Children's Hospital. Nikki too has participated with multiple runs and fundraising events.  Their son, Trevor, teaches and mentors youth as a black belt. Trevor recently told me about his interactions with youth and said, " you cannot quit something you haven’t tried". He is so right, never give up! This beautiful and strong family refuses to give up and is fighting to beat cancer! The road ahead will be a challenge and anything we can do to ease their burdens will be greatly appreciated. The Brooks are truly hardworking Americans that know the value of a dollar.

Curtis grew up in Lunenburg, Nikki transitioned from Va Beach as a young lady and both resided in Lunenburg for years. They moved to North Carolina about nine years ago. The medical bills between Curtis’ cancer and Nikki’s is adding up. Let’s send some love and support their way. I am reaching out to our amazing communities and supportive network of family and friends to help, any donation will be truly appreciated. Everything we can do to help and surround them with love is what is most important, so she can fcous on beating breast cancer! Thank you for reading and considering the Brooks’ road ahead.