Cranford Teen, Former NFL Coach Help Raise Funds For Pediatric Cancer

CRANFORD, NJ — A Cranford teenager has joined forced with retired NFL coach Tom Coughlin to raise money for local families facing pediatric cancer.

Nick Swandra, an 18-year-old from Cranford, shared his journey of being diagnosed and treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and his subsequent relapse earlier this year, at Tom Coughlin Jay Fund's annual Champions for Children Gala on Friday, Oct. 21.

The gala was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City last week. A crowd of nearly 500 professional athletes, celebrities and supporters were in attendance, according to the Jay Fund.

The Jay Fund is a nonprofit founded by the two-time Super Bowl winning coach of the New York Giants. This year marked its 17th year of providing financial, emotional and practical support for families tackling pediatric cancer in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area.

Swandrak has spent much of the last four years enduring "grueling cancer treatments and being isolated from his friends due to his immunocompromised condition," the Jay Fund wrote. His family has also faced expensive medical bills coupled with rising inflation and record-high food costs.

Swandrak and his family have been supported by the Jay Fund throughout his treatment.

“The Jay Fund covered our mortgage payments when our bills became overwhelming and has given me experiences that I will never, ever forget,” Swandrak said at the gala.

Around $1.25 million was raised for the Jay Fund at the gala last week, according to a press release.

“Nick is a remarkable young man and a current Jay Fund scholarship recipient,” said Mary Jane Pulzello, Managing Director of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund in NY/NJ. “He received a standing ovation from the audience, as many were deeply moved by this young man’s courage and tenacity in fighting cancer for more than four years.”

Swandrak also thanked his medical team who continue to help him through his fight with cancer, as well as his friends and family who have lifted him up from day one. He saved his most heartfelt appreciation for his parents, stating their love and support have been everything to him.

“As of today, I’ve had 126 chemo shots, 28 spinal taps, and over 200 days sleeping on scratchy hospital sheets,” Swandrak told the crowd. “Fighting cancer is tough. You’re in bed, and sick a lot of the time. There are days that are a real struggle. But I’m looking forward to ringing that bell for the second time this December and being back in remission.”