Nicholas R DiMatteo - March 20, 1984 - November 13, 2014

Nick's Story:

When Nicky was 18 years old a large black mole appeared on the side of his head. The Dermatologist removed the mole and sent it out for testing. Around 9:30pm one evening, the phone rang. It was the Doctor. He delivered some devistating news to my parents. Nicky was diagnosed with stage 4C Melanoma. He began seeing a team of Drs at UPenn. Nicky underwent a major surgery to remove the mole and cancer, but it has spread to 18 out of the 20 lymph nodes that were removed. He began an aggressive treatment of Interferon. During that time, he continued to go to work daily, and kept up the same quirky and crazy personality. He amzed his team of doctors as he surpassed this hurdle. A little over 10 years later the Melanoma came knocking at the door. It was Friday September 27th. Nicky had not been feeling well that past few days. They suspected it was a stomach bug and a case of dehydration but as the days went on something wasn't right. My parents took him to the Emergency room where a CT Scan was performed. I still remember the text message from my mom, " Nicky has a bleeding brain tumor, get here now." I quickly left school and headed down to Cooper Hospital. Through it all Nicky was a trooper. Surgery was scheduled for the next morning to remove the tumor in the brain. Nicky underwent a long surgery that Saturday. We all waited anxiously in the waiting room, waiting to here some news. Finally we received a call from the operating room- " Surgery went well, we are just finishing up and then he will be in recovery," was the message we received. We waited to see him before heading home. That was the first of many visits to Cooper's ICU for Nicky. Nicky underwent gamma knife radiation, various trials of medication, good news, and bad news, but through it all he still had a smile. Nicky was one of a kind, he was strong and was a fighter. He fought the good fight for 14 months before his body couldn't take it any longer. We are all better for knowing Nicky in one way or another. I am thankful that I have the best guardian angel looking over my four children. Uncle Nicky is a name that we talk about all the time in my house, as Jacob would say, " He talka to me in my crib!" All my children know of Uncle Nicky and whenever something "strange" happens in the house, the first response is, "That was Uncle Nicky." I know he is always with us.

When I think about losing my brother 101 different emotions hit me. I think about what he went through and I think about what our family has gone through. NO individual or family should ever have to face that. I decided to put together this team with the support of my family& friends 10 years ago, to raise awareness and funding for Melanoma in hopes that one day this horrible disease would be gone. I would like to continue our journey towards trying to find a cure for this horrible disease while still honoring a son, brother, friend, nephew, cousin, and Uncle. Over the past 10 years we have raised over $27,000.00 in Nicky's Name. I cannot express how grateful we were for the outpouring of support and donations we received last year in Nicky's memory. Please consider joining or making a donation to Pooh's Posse so together we can kick this disease to the curb. Nicky was "Strong Like Bull" and not a moment goes by that I don't miss my big brother. Thank you for supporting this special cause that is near and dear to my heart.

All Donations will go to Miles For Melanoma in memory of Nicholas R. DiMatteo

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