President and Founder

I’m the President and Founder of Cruising for Cancer. After being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2020, I was given a 10% chance of survival. During treatment, I found that small moments of joy, connection, and escape made a huge difference. That’s what inspired me to start Cruising for Cancer.

I sold my 401k to buy my dream car, a 2011 Shelby GT500 I call The Chemo Cab, and began using it to give rides to fellow patients and others facing serious illness. What started as a way to bring smiles during a difficult season has grown into a community built on hope, encouragement, and showing up for people when they need it most.

Through care packages, events, and shared experiences, my goal is simple: to remind people that even in the hardest chapters, life is always worth celebrating.

Vice President

Hi, Im Nick’s Mama.
I was with Nick, in 2020, when a surgeon confirmed the unthinkable.
“You have colon cancer.”
“That sucks. What are my chances?”
“Ten percent.”
“I’ll take it.”
I have watched in admiration how Nick navigated through a dozen cancer surgeries and over 60 rounds of chemo. In that time Nick showed us all the way through. The stress, the anxiety, the pain. The way to keep going.
What Nick taught was cancer survival is a DIY state of affairs. At each clinic visit for chemo, Nick met his people, those living with the condition of cancer.
Nick observed the urgent needs. Gas money to get to clinic. Meal money during all day clinic stays. Lodging money for prolonged stays away from home. He met children and adults with cancer. He knew. He knew.
Nick saw the needs and created a solution. Those words at diagnosis., “I’ll take it” soon blossomed into doing something to help his community.
When you support Cruising For Cancer you are helping Nick help others in a practical and tactical way. Money for gas, food or just a treat. His crusade illuminates the immediate needs of those in the cancer brotherhood and fulfills those needs. One person at a time.
I open my heart to Nick and those of you who with cancer in your life.
I hug with gratitude those of you with empathy and compassion to help Nick through Cruising For Cancer on his mission of sacred service, service devoted to the purpose of love.
Susan

Treasurer

I first met Nick in Chesapeake Hall at JMU our freshman year. Whether our shared German heritage or love for the outdoors, we just clicked. It was devastating to learn of his cancer diagnosis, but since then we’ve wasted no time finding a purpose that is more important than sitting around commiserating. Nick has led this charge with the passion and enthusiasm most of us don’t show in our normal, cancer-less lives, and it gives me great courage and motivation to be around him and support this organization’s mission to give back to the people in our community who need it the most.

A little about me - I love my fiancé who gives me all the support daily, my goofy and lovable dogs, biking, gardening, and just being mindful of my impact on those around me and my community. I’m a marketer by trade and a friend at heart. Thank you to all who have supported us, and to those who are just beginning. We are better together and helping each other.

🤟🏽, L

Board Member

When I met Nick and Laurenso at JMU there was no fortune teller in the world that could predict where we are today. Hearing the news of Nick’s diagnosis was devastating but through it, I have gotten to spend time with an amazing human being, who has taken his disease and given it purpose. A purpose that I am lucky enough to be a part of.

I remember the day Nick called me asking if I was free for an 8 hour trip to Pennsylvania. Why? Shelby GT500. Never looked back since, and through every step taken, it all has led to this and we love it. Nick, Susan, and Laurenso have led the charge and I am thankful for each of them to have included me along the journey of bringing Cruising For Cancer into the world and all the individuals met along the way, those experiences mean the world to us.

Everyone comes into our lives for a reason, a friendship then to what it has become now could not be expressed just by words. It has become family. We have become family. Anyone that is a part of our mission, becomes family. Appreciate all the love and support from everyone and cannot see what the future of Cruising looks like, thank you!

Communications Chair

Cruising for Cancer became deeply personal to me the day I first attended the Annual Car Show. That’s where Nick and I met, and it was through Cruising for Cancer that our lives became intertwined.

Watching Nick navigate cancer with resilience, generosity, and an unwavering desire to lift others up inspires me every day. His giving heart and commitment to bringing joy to people during some of their hardest moments continually motivate me to do more and to support this community in meaningful ways.

Being Nick’s wife is the honor of my life, and standing beside him every step of the way is a privilege I hold close. Supporting his passion for helping others and continuing to grow Cruising for Cancer is more valuable to me than words can express, and I hope to always reflect the compassion at the core of our mission and at the heart of my Nicholas.

We are eternally grateful for the community around us, for those going through the unimaginable and still pouring out love, and for everyone who makes this work possible. Thank you all <3