This month, we are so honored to share with our readers an interview with our client, HEADstrong Foundation President, Cheryl Colleluori. Keep reading to hear Cheryl reflect on her son Nick’s dream, and how that dream has grown into a foundation that provides comfort, care, and hope for families facing cancer.
PPRG: Can you take us back to the beginning of HEADstrong? How did Nick’s vision come to life and continue after his passing?
CHERYL: HEADstrong was born from Nick’s hospital bed, in the midst of his own fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Even as he faced the unthinkable, his heart was with others—he was selfless as he witnessed firsthand the overwhelming burdens (emotionally and financially) families carried and he envisioned a foundation that would ease that weight. Nick laid out the mission, the name, even the colors before he passed, and he charged us with carrying it forward. Prior to his passing, our family promised him that we would honor his vision, and what began as his dream has grown into a lifeline for thousands. Through our programs, every family we serve is a direct reflection of Nick’s determination to turn his struggle into hope for others. I’m externally grateful to my Nick for the gift of the HEADstrong Foundation.
PPRG: As both Nick’s mother and President of Headstrong, what does it mean to you to carry Nick’s legacy forward so publicly and powerfully?
CHERYL: Carrying Nick’s legacy forward is both the greatest honor and the deepest responsibility of my life. As his mother, I witnessed firsthand his courage, selflessness, and unwavering will to turn his own diagnosis into a mission of hope for others. As President of HEADstrong, I have the privilege of ensuring that his vision doesn’t just live on, but grows—impacting thousands of families who are now walking the path we once walked. Every family we help is a reminder that Nick’s spirit is alive in our work, and that together, we are transforming heartbreak into healing.
PPRG: This work is emotionally intense and deeply personal. How do you stay focused and resilient when the emotional weight becomes heavy?
CHERYL: The work is heavy and that’s ok because the need is so great—but I remind myself every day why we do this. I stay focused by looking into the eyes of the families we serve and knowing that, in their darkest moment, we can bring light. My resilience comes from Nick’s example—his determination, his fight, and his vision for this foundation. When the weight feels overwhelming, I ground myself in the promise I made to him that others who follow in his footsteps would benefit from his life. That keeps me moving forward.
PPRG: Can you share one of your most memorable moments with a family you’ve helped at Headstrong? A story that has stayed with you over the years?
CHERYL: Each family that we meet has special moments that we will never forget. One moment that stays with me was when we hosted a family from Knoxville, Tennessee whose 9 month old daughter was diagnosed with a rare cancer and was advised to get to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as quickly as they could. When they arrived, the doctor also examined their 2 year old son and they learned that he too had the exact same cancer. This family faced the unimaginable. Having traveled over 900 miles, leaving their jobs, exhausted and overwhelmed, unsure how they would manage day-to-day life while tending to the needs of both their children. Welcoming them to Nick’s House, where the financial burden was eliminated, they immediately felt at home—finding comfort in the support programs we provide—was profound. By the end of their stay, they told us that Nick’s House had been more than just a place to sleep; it had been a lifeline, a source of strength and hope when they needed it most. That experience reinforced why we do what we do, and it’s a reminder that the impact of HEADstrong goes far beyond treatment—it’s about helping families live fully in the midst of one of life’s hardest battles. I’m pleased to share that both children are now in remission.
PPRG: When a newly diagnosed patient or caregiver connects with HEADstrong for the first time, what do you hope they feel, see, or understand?
CHERYL: When a newly diagnosed patient or caregiver connects with HEADstrong for the first time, I want them to feel immediate relief in knowing they are not alone. I hope they see compassion, understanding, and a community that truly ‘gets it.’ Most of all, I want them to understand that no matter how overwhelming the journey feels, they now have a team beside them—ready to walk with them every step of the way.
PPRG: Nick’s House has become a powerful symbol of comfort and care. How did the concept come to life, and in what ways has it evolved since its creation?
CHERYL: Nick’s House was born from a deeply personal mission: to provide a home-like refuge for families forced to travel for life saving cancer care. Inspired by my son Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori’s own journey that included relocating to Washington DC for a clinical trial. The concept was designed to offer more than just a place to stay—it would be a sanctuary where families could find comfort, community, and strength.
Since its creation, Nick’s House has evolved significantly. What began as small two bedroom apartment has evolved into two large homes supporting patients in Philadelphia and Boston. Nicks House not only offers lodging but support programs that include emotional, social, and practical resources. Programs now extend to meals, transportation assistance, and wellness initiatives, all aimed at easing the burdens of treatment and fostering a sense of normalcy and connection. Over time, Nick’s House has become a symbol of hope and resilience, reflecting the HEADstrong Foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of those affected by cancer. Our long term plans include expansion of the program aligning with national recognized cancer institutions providing more opportunities for more families.
PPRG: If Nick could see HEADstrong today, what do you think he would feel or say about the impact it’s had?
CHERYL: I can picture Nick with the biggest smile, saying, ‘Way to go, Mom—I’m so proud of you.’ Before he passed, he told me I had the ability to grow HEADstrong to the heights it was meant to reach, and he urged me never to doubt myself. I carry those words with me every single day. Nick knew his mom—he knew I would need purpose, and that living without him would be the hardest thing I’d ever face. In many ways, his request for me to carry on HEADstrong was twofold: to support families like ours and to help me, and our family, heal. The foundation has truly been a godsend. It’s not just something I do—it has become who I am!
PPRG: Hospitals such as CHOP, Penn Medicine, and Jefferson have played a key role in HEADstrong’s journey. What have you found most special about this community’s support?
CHERYL: What’s most special about the support from CHOP, Penn Medicine, Jefferson, and our hospital partners is the true sense of collaboration. They don’t just treat patients—they connect them to us. Together, we form a safety net that surrounds patients with both clinical excellence and the compassion, resources, and community HEADstrong provides. That partnership has been vital in carrying Nick’s vision forward and ensures that families can get access to life saving treatment.
PPRG: Events like Turkey Day Tailgate bring the community together in meaningful ways. What do those moments represent for you, and how do they reflect HEADstrong’s mission?
CHERYL: Events like Turkey Day Tailgate are so much more than gatherings—they’re moments that remind me of the love and support that surrounded Nick, and now surround every family we serve. For me, they symbolize a community wrapping its arms around those in the fight, just as ours once was. It’s deeply personal, because every cheer, every handshake, every show of support is proof that Nick’s vision continues to live on in the most meaningful way. These moments embody the true spirit of HEADstrong: family, compassion, and never facing cancer alone. Our hope is to make new friends, educate more people so we have the means to help more families.
PPRG: As HEADstrong celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, what is your vision for the future of HEADstrong? What are your biggest hopes or dreams for the next chapter?
CHERYL: As we approach HEADstrong’s 20th anniversary, which is hard to digest, my vision is to expand our reach so that every family facing cancer can find comfort, resources, and hope through us. My biggest dream is that no patient or caregiver will ever feel they have to walk this journey alone—that whether it’s housing, financial support, or emotional care, HEADstrong will be there. I want Nick’s legacy to keep growing, not just as a foundation, but as a movement of compassion that unites communities across the country. The next chapter is about deepening our impact by expanding our Nick’s House program providing more families access and affordability to cancer care because where someone lives should not determine if they live, and ensuring that Nick’s legacy lives on for generations to come.
If you would like to learn more about the HEADstrong Foundation or donate toward their mission, please head to their website. If you are interested in getting involved with the Foundation, join HEADstrong at A Night for the HEADstrong Foundation Benefiting Nick’s House Philadelphia located at the Switch House on September 18, 2025. Lastly, show your support for the mission by voting for Cheryl in Philly Mag’s Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge. You may vote once a day until September 30.
** This blog is based on a Philly PR Girl clients but dedicated to every Philadelphian who working to make a difference in our community.
