Queens of Swedes Raise $3,500 for HEADstrong Foundation 

SWEDESBORO, NJ – This January members of the Queens of Swedes visited Nick’s House to present a check in support of the HEADstrong Foundation.  The Queens of Swedes are an inspirational group of women from Gloucester County, NJ committed to contributing, supporting and enhancing their community.  Members come from surrounding communities including Swedesboro, Woolwhich and Logan Townships.   One of the goals of the organization is to support local charities by raising funds through participation in several annual events including the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival and the Royal Run 5K which is presented by the group each September at Cecil Creek Farm in Mickleton, NJ.

The Queens of Swedes have more than 184 active team members and raised slightly over $15,000. The HEADstrong Foundation was selected by Boat 5’s charity this year made up of 25 members who raised $3,500 to support the organization.

The funds raised by the Queens of Swedes will be directed toward supporting Nick’s House, a facility operated by the HEADstrong Foundation which provides complimentary lodging and accommodations for patients and families displaced to the Greater Philadelphia Region seeking comprehensive cancer care and clinical trials.

“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those we proudly serve we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Queens of Swedes for embracing our mission of improving quality of life for those affected by cancer.  This special group of women committed to serving causes affecting their communities is a wonderful example of the great things that we can accomplish when we work together towards a common goal.  Over the years we have built some incredible relationships and continue to support many families from South Jersey.  The funds raised by the Queens will allow us the ability to strengthen our commitment to families that we are welcoming to Nick’s House.” Cheryl Colleluori, HF President and Nick’s Mom

About the Queens of Swedes

The Queens are a group of women from Swedesboro, Woolwich and Logan Townships who participate in the annual Philadelphia International Dragonboat Race.  In addition to racing, the team raises money for local charities, participates in volunteer opportunities and supports community endeavors.  The team was founded in 2011 and has grown exponentially each year.  We currently have 184 team members on seven boats.

About the HEADstrong Foundation 

HEADstrong Foundation is a non-profit organization which provides direct resources and support to cancer patients and their families allowing them to navigate their cancer journey with an improved quality of life and greater sense of normalcy.  HEADstrong serves the cancer community by granting direct financial assistance to those financially impacted as a result of the disease, by providing complimentary long-term housing and amenities for those traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for cancer related treatments through Nick’s House™, by funding innovative cancer research through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma research fund, by serving family meals and offering outlets of entertainment, by providing fresh groceries to patients being discharged from lengthy hospital stays, by delivering comfort kits to newly hospitalized patients preparing for treatment or transplant, and by lending an arm of support through their peer to peer advocacy group.

The blueprints for the Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori in 2006, from his hospital bed while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life.  Today, Nick’s vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against cancers.

For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation™ and how we are Getting aHEAD of Cancer™ or to stay in the know of all the amazing things we’re doing, sign up for email updates below. Also, if you would like to contribute to finding a cure, donate today!