Turning Loss Into Purpose: Cheryl Colleluori’s Story of Love and Legacy

Sometimes life takes a turn you never would have chosen, and you find yourself trying to figure out how to move forward when nothing feels the same. For Cheryl Colleluori, that moment came when her 19-year-old son, Nick, was diagnosed with cancer. During his 14 months of treatment, Nick saw how much families were struggling with the emotional and financial toll of cancer, and he created the HEADstrong Foundation to help them. Before he passed away at just 21, he asked his mom to keep the foundation going, giving Cheryl a promise to carry forward and a purpose she never expected. In this conversation, we talk about the realities of caregiving, learning to live with what you can’t control, and how small acts of kindness can make a difference when someone is going through the unthinkable. Cheryl also reflects on how losing Nick changed her perspective on life, reminding us that even when we can’t choose our circumstances, we can still find meaning in how we show up for ourselves and others.

 

You’ll Learn:

  • How to show up for someone facing cancer without waiting for them to tell you what they need
  • Why caregivers need to give themselves grace and make space for their own well-being, even when someone they love needs so much from them
  • What it means to let go of control when you can’t fix what’s happening, no matter how much you wish you could
  • How one promise became a lasting purpose and helped Cheryl find a way forward after losing Nick
  • Ways small acts of kindness can make a real difference for families navigating the emotional and financial strain of cancer
  • How the HEADstrong Foundation supports families through Nick’s House, providing free accommodations near specialized cancer care
  • How life’s hardest experiences can change your perspective and help you focus on what matters most

 

Links: 

For more information about the HEADstrong Foundation and how you can contribute, visit their website: https://www.headstrong.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HEADstrongFND

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headstrongfnd/