Hello,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this email. This year I have asked Nik to write his fundraising letter and take over as I want everyone to see what it is like through the eyes of a child with Cystic Fibrosis. This is Nik's letter to you.

Hello Everyone and thank you for reading this. I have been asked to write Team Nik's Annual Fundraising letter. This is my first so I hope it is good. When I think of Cystic Fibrosis the first thing that comes in my mind is that it is a blessing and a curse. What I love about CF is that it has brought so many important and caring people in my life like my teachers especially Mrs. Falzone and Mrs. Marotta. It has brought me MRS MAC!!!!! My family, my friends and especially my mom. She has always been there for me, has helped me and has loved me. I know she would have always been there but I have a strong feeling that CF has brought us closer. I have learned to be happy with what I have. If it wasn't for CF, I wouldn't have the life I have right now and I love my life. I have made so many great memories and I wouldn't have them without CF.

But I also see it as a curse sometimes. I am not able to do the things other kids do. Life is a little harder for me then what I see other kids go through. My mom has a lot to deal with and I don't like that CF makes things a lot harder on her and she already has a hard job. I am scared every time I go to the hospital. I think to myself - Am I going to make it this time? Am I going to grow up and go to college (I don’t want to but I still think of it). Am I going to get married or have a kid? Will I have a normal job? My mom is very honest with me and I know my chances and I know what my future can be. So this is why I am writing this. I am asking you for help.

Can you please join us on June 10th and help raise funds for Team Nik. Every penny counts. Please ask your family and friends. Please ask your company. I know I would not be where I am today if I did not have CF but what I am asking is for you to help me enjoy my life longer. You can help in so many ways. Please contact my mom. She is the expert.

Thank you again and I hope to see all my family and friends, all your family and friends - THE WHOLE Staten Island on June 10th at Midland Beach.

Nik - the reason Team NIK began

The above is the reason I wake up and fight every day. And I am happy to fight for it. Sometimes I wonder what the day will hold. I hate the feeling of being scared and helpless. And not being able to do more to help my child. This is the only way I feel I can. Nik is a special child like so many others with CF. I am asking for your help to find a cure for this nasty disease and help Nik, other children and adults fighting with Cystic Fibrosis. Help us give them the most natural things on earth. Life and Breathing.

Nik's brief history on his battle with CF is below

Nik was diagnosed at 5 months old with Cystic Fibrosis. Growing up for the first 5 years were pretty simple. A couple of procedures and illnesses. However when Nik turned 6, his CF started attacking him. He was in and out of the hospital constantly. He had many procedures and constant IV’s and Antibiotics. Nothing was helping Nik so in 2008 we had a rare procedure done called a lobectomy (removal of the lung). Before this procedure I remember so clearly that I had to prevent Nik from acting like a normal child. I had to stop him from laughing because it would end up in a coughing fit. I had to stop him from running and playing with other children. I had to say no to so many things that Nik wanted and would have made him happy. Can you imagine the thought of stopping your child from being happy and giving him the simple things that every child should be able to do every day? From depriving him or her of the joys in life? As a mother of a happy and sweet child, it hurt me more then I can ever explain.

The procedure was the toughest thing we both went through. There was a short time where we didn’t think he was going to make it and the doctors gave up. It was a complete miracle that Nik did a complete turnaround. From 2008-2011 life was amazing. There is not one time that I did not stop and think about how close i came to never hearing his laugh again. Now when I hear Nik laugh, there is no sound I would rather hear more and the thought of that going back to what it was kills me.

This past year we got a taste of reality. Nik has just been removed from having iv's and will finally be going back to school after almost a month and a half. These days remind me how important fundraising is. Nik is at the point in his life that he is using all the new medicines that are available as well as trying some experimental drugs. We desperately need the medicine that is still in research, to get approved!! I am told that the only thing that stops this is the lack of funds.

Please help me take down that barrier. To learn more, please view the following video which was put together by a special colleague last year as it explains why this cause is so important to me, Nik and others struggling with this disease and how all of you have helped Nik live longer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1NaGXT-EHY . You can also view Nik's speaking about his disease @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy7eW5GRye4 .

Thank you so much for your support and your good wishes.

NIK AND JERI