Update 4/7/18: More good news! After 12 whole weeks in the hospital, Nick is back home!! He is so happy to be back in his own bed and have some of his mom’s home cooking! It will still take more weeks of PT and doctors visits to build up his strength and get him back to full health, but we all can’t wait to visit once he’s feeling better. The Tims family really appreciates all the support they’ve received to date, but there is still a ways to go. We hope you can join us tonight at the COTA benefit dinner in Nick’s honor. We hope to see you all there!

Event Details:  https://www.facebook.com/events/366362680546223/?ti=cl

Update 3/6/18: We are happy to share that Nick has received a both a liver and kidney transplant! The whole process took two long surgeries with almost a week in between them where Nick had to be kept in a medically induced coma, proving yet again his strength and perseverance. His focus is now his physical therapy to get him back on his feet so that he can go home, sleep in his own bed, and cuddle with their dog Nola! He has been in the hospital for almost 8 weeks and can’t wait to be back with his family eating his mom’s home-cooked meals! We will keep you all posted!

Update 1/16/18: Nick’s kidneys have started to fail, so he will now need a kidney transplant in addition to a new liver. His “Model for End-Stage Liver Disease” (MELD) score is now at 40, the highest level (“critically ill”) and this has moved him to the top of the donor list. He is back in the hospital and being kept there until he can get the transplants.

My cousin Nick needs your help. I’m a few years older than Nick and I have had the pleasure of watching him grow up to become a wonderful and kind young man. He radiates positivity wherever he goes and watching him perservere through his chronic illness has been an inspiration to me and I’m sure many others who have had the pleasure of being around him.

Nick has always been there for those closest to him, even when it wasn’t convenient for him. Whether coming home from the hospital in time to make our family Thanksgiving dinner or telling his doctors he needs to be released from the hospital to make it to our wedding, Nick makes his family and friends his top priority and we love him for that. He is quick with a smile and even though the past few years have presented unfair hardship, he continues to maintain a positive outlook on life.

Nick was a regular, healthy, and happy 9 year old when he was suddenly diagnosed with acute liver failure in April 2004. Within a month, he had his first liver transplant. He had a difficult recovery and spent the next two years in and out of the hospital. Unfortunately, his condition did not improve. After multiple bouts of bacterial infections and reoccurring cholangitis, he needed another liver, which he thankfully received in April 2006.

The transplant was a great success! Finally, Nick was back to being a kid again. He returned to playing soccer, wrestling, baseball,and discovered a love for skateboarding that he maintains to this day. He went on to graduate from Boonton High School and completed his studies to become a Medical Assistant. Nick loved helping others and giving back to the community.

Unfortunately, earlier this year Nick started to feel sick again. In August, Nick was diagnosed with chronic rejection. Slowly, his skin began to turn yellow and his body began retaining unhealthy amounts of liquid making it hard for him to walk. His stomach, legs, ankles and feet are constantly swollen and he has a fraction of the energy a 23 year old should. In September, Nick was relisted for a new liver. In the interim, he travels to Mt. Sinai in New York City every week to see his doctor. He is scheduled every 3 weeks to drain liters of fluid from his stomach and has been hospitalized three times since August. Time is running short and he will likely need the liver transplant within the next few weeks.

This past Thanksgiving, I spent most of the evening with Nick hanging out on the couch. He told me about how difficult it was to stay awake during the day and not having the energy to even walk their dog, Noli, or play his favorite video games. Even more, he misses being able to go to work. Nick always went the extra mile to make sure you were happy and having a good time and now it’s our turn to look out for him.

Because of Nick needing another transplant, we’ve increased our fundraising goal to $100,000 to help with transplant-related expenses. Fundraising proceeds will benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in honor of Nick. Contributions to COTA will be used to assist with transplant-related expenses, and are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. We know the holidays are a hectic time, but it is a time of giving. We hope that you can find it in your hearts to give a little (or a lot) to COTA in honor of our beloved Nick.