He loved playing basketball on his school team and especially Sunday mornings with his father and big brother. He was the biggest New York Knicks fan and when he lost all his hair to chemotherapy and radiation wearing his Knicks caps gave him his confidence back. He also loved practicing Kung-Fu with his father and big brother. He wanted to be a Kung-Fu master like his father. Despite his disease and physical condition he regularly attended Kung-Fu class and even most recently proudly performed at this year's Chinese New Year celebration.
Nicolas fought until the end when his name was finally called by God our father. He is an angel flying high and caring for other children in heaven. He wanted to be a neurosurgeon and help other kids like himself. Although he was not able to realize this dream he was was able to give the gift of sight by donating his cornea. He is forever our hero, gone from the physical world but living forever in our hearts.
NICOLAS IS NAMED AN HONORARY KNICK PRE-GAME AT MSG 9/1/2014
ARTICLE BY THE GARDEN OF DREAMS FOUNDATION - Wednesday, December 10, 2014
http://gardenofdreamsfoundation.org/news/once-knick-always-knick
ONCE A KNICK, ALWAYS A KNICK
In 2012, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, a Foundation partner organization, approached Garden of Dreams with a very special wish for 11-year-old Nicolas Perez from Brooklyn, NY. Nicolas wished for a Knicks themed recreation room for him to enjoy with his friends and, most importantly, watch the New York Knicks. The start of a wish quickly became the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Garden of Dreams, the Knicks and the Perez Family.
Over Nicolas’ three-year fight against brain cancer, which began at 10-years-old, he endured several brain surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy. While the doctors tried to cure him, basketball became a constant support. Alongside his father and his older brother Xavier, Nicolas watched every Knicks game to cheer on the team and his favorite player, Carmelo Anthony.
Always sporting his “Knicks hat of the day,” Nicolas not only used the Knicks as an outlet, but also to boost his confidence. Instead of his peers focusing on his illness, he became known as the kid with the cool Knicks hats. Identifying with his favorite team, Nicolas gave his best even when he was at his worst and never gave up. Nicolas always held his head high and faced each challenge with a positive attitude and inner strength.
During the transformation of an unfinished basement to Nicolas’ dream recreation room, Garden of Dreams, the New York Knicks and Knicks legend John Starks hosted Nicolas and his family at Madison Square Garden for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a Knicks game. His experience included access to pre-game shoot around, dinner and a shopping spree at the team store.
Shortly after Nicolas’ night out at Madison Square Garden, his wish was granted at his home where Knicks legend John Starks reunited with Nicolas to assist in the ribbon cutting of the unveiling of Nicolas’ brand new Knicks themed room. Surrounded by family and friends, Nicolas took in the freshly painted blue and orange walls, new floor resembling a basketball court, Knicks basketball hoop, branded snack bar and locker room, flat screen television.
From the unveiling forward, the Knicks viewing parties grew from father and sons to a basement full of extended family and friends. Nicolas also had the opportunity to attend Knicks youth summer camps, meet Carmelo Anthony and develop an off-the-court, unbreakable friendship with John Starks.
Nicolas’ mother Elisabeth Perez, shared, “Being part of the Garden of Dreams Foundation and the New York Knicks had meant so much more to Nicolas than just rooting for his favorite team. It was like being welcomed into a large, loving family just at the time when he needed it the most. For a child to go through something as scary and life-changing as battling cancer, one of the greatest gifts that could ever be given to that child is love and happiness, and that is what the Garden of Dreams Foundation and the New York Knicks did for Nicolas and our family.”
On September 1, 2014, Nicolas lost his battle with cancer, but he will always be a part of the Garden of Dreams and New York Knicks family. On December 2, 2014, Nicolas was remembered as an Honorary Knick during the Knicks-Nets ceremonial ball delivery presented center-court by his brother, Xavier.
Once A Knick, Always A Knick
Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cYzTDymro4&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
A video created by Nicolas' teacher, Ms. O'Shea, with his friends Jorge and Agustin at their school MS 442 Carroll Gardens School for Innovation. Nicolas was very proud to share his story and excited to make this video. The idea for this video came from a class assignment which had the students write about anything they wanted to share with the class and this is what he chose to share. Unafraid and brave beyond his years, here is Nicolas sharing a bit of his story.
REMEMBERING NICOLAS PEREZ
Children's Brain Tumor Foundation
Newsletter on Grief During the Holidays
http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/327149/7353ad7b72/ARCHIVE
Kind, caring, thoughtful, friendly, funny, silly, sweet, courteous, positive, brave and strong are just some of the words to describe Nicolas. He was full of life, love and joy and was a friend to everyone. Our story is not unlike many others with a child with a brain tumor diagnosis. It began abruptly during a middle of the night trip to the ER with a headache and vomiting. I can still remember the Dr.’s piercing words, “I’m so sorry Mrs. Perez, your son has a brain tumor and may need emergency surgery as early as tonight”. In an instant my heart stopped, all my blood stopped flowing, and my mind went blank. And as quick as it all stopped… it all started right back up again and I went into what a lot of us will call “mom-mode, or auto-pilot”. It is amazing, this newfound ability to function in this mode while your heart feels as if it was ripped from your chest.
I have always had a glass half-empty way of thinking but quickly learned by observing Nicolas in the ambulance, in the hospital before and after surgery, leaving him in the operating room, leaving him countless times at radiation, procedures, MRI and CT scan suites ,I could see that despite his eyes wide with fear; he remained calm and composed and somehow always managed to smile. It became evident early on that we all had to be strong and positive for him so that he could endure all that was needed to help treat him. I had my “mom-mode” but in many ways, he had his “Nick-mode”. Every step of the way, including at the very start of his battle at 10 years old, we would explain what the next phase of procedures would be. He would pause for a moment to think about it and maybe show a glimmer of concern but then bounce right back into “Nick-mode” and somehow we were able to move forward with each challenge as a family.
Nicolas’ older brother Xavier played an extremely important part of Nicolas’ care and keeping things as close to normal as possible. He would still goof around with him, play rough like they always used to, play video games, watch movies, and play basketball with him. Many times, he would put aside his own plans and wants to be there for his brother. I know that it was at times difficult for him and maybe he didn’t always understand why his brother needed extra time, love, and attention but at the end of the day, it brought us all closer together and they were the best of friends.
I’ve always believed strongly in the saying, “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst”. In this time, I thought of it often. Although we hoped for a cure, despite his cancer coming back with a vengeance twice after initial diagnosis, I always imagined that if these were the last weeks, months, or years we had with our son then we need to get busy living life. And that we did. Our best medicine was living our life as close to normal and spending every moment we could together. We still took our summer trips to Orlando, albeit with wheelchair in tow and some adjustments to some ride choices. We still had our Sunday morning Dad and sons basketball games at the park, sometimes Nicolas sat along the side with me and watched, but we still went, we still had laughs and made memories.
There were many things he was not able to realize in his short 13 years, but there were some amazing things he did. By donating his cornea, he was able to give the gift of sight to two people. And on December 2, 2014, he was made an Honorary Knick by The Garden of Dreams and The New York Knicks. He will always be my hero.
Nicolas wanted to become a neuro-surgeon and help kids like himself and he also wanted to be a kung-fu master and teacher like his father. He loved life while it was his gift to enjoy. Remember just that, life is a gift and not a burden. There can be joy and happiness, albeit just a glimmer and you can have a glass half full if you just believe it.
Written by: Elisabeth Perez
March 6, 2015
CARMELO ANTHONY'S SURPRISE VISIT
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=771103239640265&pnref=story
http://instagram.com/p/z5heHmKNuc/
Carmelo Anthony paid a surprise visit to Nicolas' middle school today. The children and staff hit social media with a barrage of tweets/posts etc. asking him to join them in a day of honoring their dear friend and late classmate Nicolas. #KnicksforNick #RepRedHookforCancer #CGSI was all over social media and when today came we were all surprised to find that their hard work paid off and he honored us with the gift of his presence on this special day where they held the first Annual Nicolas Perez Memorial Staff vs. Student Basketball game and also dedicated their main hallway dubbing it "NICOLAS WAY". Later that day Carmelo posted on Instagram:
"@carmeloanthony Please help us honor our late super-student Nicolas Perez on Friday afternoon! #KnicksForNick #RepRedHookforCancer #CGSI"
Dear Nicholas, you gave me the strength and energy to get up out my bed and be a selfless servant. No matter what I'm going through physically, It could not amount to what you have been through in life. You are one of the strongest human beings that I've ever met. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. Your spirit lives on. Glad I can honor you today with a surprise visit at your school. #RepRedHookforCancer
Rip NicholasPerez.
"If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I’d walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again."
#ItCostMeNothingJustTime. #BeSelfless. #StayMe7o. #BackToMyBunker"
Carmelo, I can't give you enough thanks for this selfless act of kindness. You made this day even more special. All we are left with are our memories and though he is gone you gave us a new memory of him one that will always hold a special place in our hearts Thank you! - Elisabeth Perez
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