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Mission

We are relentless in improving quality of life for those affected by cancer. With every action that we make, we are fulfilling the vision of the late Nicholas Colleluori, our founder. Nick’s last wish was that others would benefit from his journey. On behalf of all of us at HEADstrong, we invite you to join us.

Our Impact

2007

Established

22,867

Patients and Families Assisted

$24

Million Raised

Milestones

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

2006

  • Nicholas Colleluori was diagnosed with large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and started treatment at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital
  • Nicholas Colleluori was a student-athlete at Hofstra University with his younger brother, Michael

2007

  • Nicholas Colleluori passed away at the age of 21 on November 28th
  • Nicholas Colleluori established the HEADstrong Foundation
  • Nicholas Colleluori recognized a lack of resources for cancer patients and their families
  • Nicholas Colleluori received a stem cell transplant

2008

  • HEADstrong Foundation partners with Brine Lacrosse and Warrior Sports
  • HEADstrong Foundation expanded patient services and launched HEADtable Program
  • HEADstrong Foundation partnered with Be The Match

2009

  • HEADstrong Foundation started delivering Comfort Kits to patients
  • HEADstrong Foundation created the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma Research Fund at the Abramson Cancer Center

2010

  • HEADstrong Foundation hosted inaugural Lime Light Gala
  • HEADstrong Foundation launched Lacrosse Mustache Madness

2011

  • HEADstrong Foundation opened Nick’s House
  • HEADstrong Foundation hires first employee
  • HEADstrong Foundation awarded research monies to City of Hope

2012

  • HEADstrong Foundation received the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Peter Kohn Award
  • HEADstrong Foundation named charitable partner of Major League Lacrosse

2013

  • HEADstrong Foundation expanded patient services through HEAD2head program
  • HEADstrong Foundation received the Colonial Athletic Conference John H. Randolph Inspirational Award
  • HEADstrong Foundation named the charitable partner of NCAA Men’s Lacrosse
  • HEADstrong Foundation was inducted into the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame

2014

  • HEADstrong Foundation President, Cheryl Colleluori, appointed to Abramson Cancer Center Advisory Board
  • HEADstrong Foundation recipient of the Hope Award
  • HEADstrong Foundation established annual giving campaign

2015

  • HEADstrong Foundation reached $7 million mark
  • HEADstrong Foundation assisted over 12,000 patients to date
  • HEADstrong Foundation published a children’s book, “Laced Together”
  • HEADstrong Foundation began online fundraising campaigns
  • HEADstrong Foundation named charitable partner of Teva Pharmaceutical

2016

  • HEADstrong Foundation reached $9 million mark
  • HEADstrong Foundation assisted over 13,100 patients to date
  • HEADstrong Foundation partners with USILA to establish NCAA collegiate lacrosse awareness week
  • HEADstrong Foundation forms Patient Advocacy Committee

2017

  • HEADstrong Foundation reaches $11 million
  • HEADstrong Foundation assisted over 15,400 patients and families to date
  • HEADstrong Foundation expands Nick’s House initiative by purchasing a residence in Swarthmore.

2018

  • Nick’s House Swarthmore renovation are completed
  • Nick’s House welcomes its first guests and hosts 49 families this year.
  • HEADstrong Foundation reaches $13.9 million
  • HEADstrong Foundation recipient of Philadelphia Eagles Community Quarterback Award.
  • HEADstrong Foundation recognized as Citizen of the Year

2019

  • HEADstrong Foundation reaches $16 million
  • HEADstrong Foundation assists 17,300 patients and families to date
  • Cheryl Colleluori recipient of Woman of the Year by Delco Women’s Commission
  • HEADstrong Foundation successfully completes Nick’s House Capital Campaign.

2020

  • HEADstrong Foundation reaches $18.5 million
  • HEADstrong Foundation assists 18,500 patients and families to date
  • HEADstrong Foundation goes virtual with programs and services
  • Lacrosse Mustache Madness breaks records raising $500k
  • Successful launch of new campaign Last Shift raising $118k
  • HEADstrong Foundation’s success of Lime Light Gala case study by Classy

2021

  • HEADstrong Foundation establishes leadership council
  • HEADstrong Foundation initiates a major gift program
  • Launches Attack Cancer Campaign
  • HEADstrong Foundation achieves Platinum level with Guidestar

Testimonials

“My name is Jessy Kyle and I am a three time survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was during my last battle that I met the HEADstrong family. I received a stem cell transplant in November of 2009 and was in the hospital on Thanksgiving Day. Annually, the HEADstrong Foundation™ provides Thanksgiving dinner for all of the oncology floors; feeding patients, their families, and staff at University of Pennsylvania. I have witnessed firsthand how HEADstrong’s hard work has truly benefited people battling cancer and I am proud to say that I have spent the last 3 Thanksgivings with HEADstrong at Penn serving meals to the community I belong to.”

Jessy Kyle

HEADstrong Survivor

“In September of 2014, our sweet 14 month old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, completely devastating our family. Her health and diagnosis became complicated and we were forced to relocate to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, over 2 hours away. We had the privilege of moving to Nick’s house and meeting the Colleluori family. They welcomed us with open arms. My daughter loved to run freely with all of her toys and it was so amazing to see her be a toddler again, and not one attached to an IV pole or living in a 12 x 12 hospital room in isolation! We appreciate everything that HEADstrong has provided my family. They gave us a warm, loving home where we could continue to make memories as a family even when faced with tough hardships.”

Emily Garibaldi

“HEADstrong Foundation™ has had a tremendous impact in research initiatives done on behalf of blood cancer patients at the Abramson Cancer Center through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma Research Fund. The fund has provided support for duel-time point PET imaging as a means to diagnose a patient with either Hodgkin Lymphoma or B Cell Lymphoma. Through this trial and its findings, patients can receive a diagnosis without having to go through a biopsy. HEADstrong has made an appreciable impact on the lymphoma patients of the Abramson Cancer Center as well faculty and staff.”

Dr. Stephen Schuster
Director of the Lymphoma Program at Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine