Fundraisers Planned Saturday, Aug. 20, for Calimesa Boy Fighting Cancer

A car wash and lemonade stands are planned Saturday to raise funds for a Calimesa boy who recently underwent chemotherapy for bone and lung cancer, a family friend said.

Nick Main, 14, son of Danielle Main, will be entering 8th grade this academic year at Mesa View Middle School, said Debbie Miller of Yucaipa.

"He was diagnosed with bone and lung cancer this summer," Miller said. "He is currently receiving treatment at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital."

Nick is fighting osteosarcoma, Miller said.

"It has spread to his lungs, so this is a tough battle for him, and the family needs so much help," Miller said.

Osteosarcoma is a cancerous, malignant, bone tumor that usually develops during the period of rapid growth that occurs in adolescence, as a teenager matures into an adult, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A few days after Nick was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, his , Jake White, 13, of Yucaipa, went with Nick to Rick's Barbershop and they got their heads shaved together.

"It was the first thing he said when he heard Nick had cancer," Jake's mom, Judy White said Aug. 5. "'If he's going to lose his hair in chemo, I'm getting my hair cut off too.'"

They day after Nick and Jake got their heads shaved, Nick went to a hospital to start chemotherapy, Judy said.

Jake wanted to keep showing support for Nick while he was in the hospital, so he set up a web site, "Nick Kicks Cancer," complete with a music remix of a popular cat-lover's video.

"Nick loves cats," Jake said. "He got a new cat when he came home from chemotherapy, about a week ago. It's called Kit Kat, like the candy."

Nick's battle and his family's trials are far from over. He was planning on starting 8th grade this school year at Mesa View Middle School, but now he's going to study at home.

"His mom is going to have to take leave from work so she can home-school Nick," Jake said.

Nick is a straight-A student and was the sole recipient of the Principal’s Outstanding Student Award at Wildwood Elementary in 2010, Miller said. He is part of the Builders Club and the Robotics Team, and he has participated in the Yucaipa Youth Basketball program for 4 years.

"The Main family wants to thank the local community for their generosity, love, and support," Miller said.

Miller said she has already raised more than $4,000 for Nick's care and treatment, but his battle against cancer will be "a long and expensive fight."

Miller said she is trying to recruit youngsters across Calimesa and Yucaipa to set up "Cancer Quencher" lemonade stands for the Aug. 20 fundraiser to benefit Nick.

The Aug. 20 car wash, with volunteers from the Happy Feet, Ridgeview, Wildwood and Inland Leaders Charter School running clubs, is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yucaipa Masonic Center, 13669 California St., Yucaipa.

For more information, contact Miller at millerfamilee@verizon.net or Andrea Beler at (909) 790-9201.