“We know not every childhood cancer story is a success story. We are blessed to be a success story, so we volunteer our time and give back to Four Diamonds to help create more success stories like ours.” – Nick and Debbi, volunteers and parents to Four Diamonds child Devin
Devin is an active 12-year-old girl with a vibrant personality. She enjoys playing soccer and loves karate – she even has a black belt – as well as cooking and other outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Anyone who has met Devin will tell you that she is kind and has a great consideration for others. What they might not know is the experiences Devin and her family went through that instilled those values into her personality.
In 2017, Devin was four years old and had just started preschool when her parents, Nick and Debbi, noticed a bump on her side. A few days passed and the bump didn’t go away, so they decided to take Devin to the emergency room at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, where doctors ordered an ultrasound. The results showed Devin had a mass on her kidney, which needed to be biopsied. After the biopsy, Devin was diagnosed with a stage-four Wilms tumor, which had also spread to her liver.
Devin completed six weeks of chemotherapy and then underwent a total right-side nephrectomy, removing both the tumor and her right kidney. After her surgery, Devin received radiation treatment and continued with eight more months of chemotherapy. In 2018, Devin rang the bell signifying the end of her treatment and is now seven years cancer-free!
Although no family should ever have to experience what Devin, Nick and Debbi went through, they have taken the experience and turned it into a passion to make sure others feel supported and cared for. “Something that Devin has picked up from all of the treatments that she’s been through is she’s very mindful of how people are feeling and what their needs may be. She tries to take care of people,” Debbi said.
“Childhood cancer is scary,” added Nick. “Diagnosis and treatment is a dark time. It is such an honor for us to give back and show that light can come from that darkness, and kids like Devin that come out of it are stars and can make a real impact in the world.”
The family has volunteered their time and given back to the Four Diamonds and THON communities that supported them in a variety of ways. Every year, they make blankets that they donate to child life at the Children’s Hospital, and Devin has donated her birthday presents and other gifts as well. Devin also donated her hair on stage at THON 2023, a big moment for someone who was once completely bald due to her chemo treatments.
They have also volunteered as guest speakers at numerous local Mini-THONs and have traveled to speak at alumni events both in and out of state. Nick and Debbi say they feel blessed to have the opportunity to act as ambassadors for Four Diamonds and speak at events, and they don’t even view it as “volunteering.”
“We love having the opportunity to attend Mini-THONs and alumni events,” said Nick. “These events are so full of positivity, joy, hope, laughter, love, caring for one another. We give our time happily and it’s rewarding and fulfilling to be there. They always tell us how much of an honor it is to have us there, but it’s equally as much of an honor for us to be there.”
Debbi added, “These students and young adults give so much of their time to these events that raise funds and awareness for Four Diamonds, and they do it amongst all the other things they have going on. The least we can do is give our time to make an appearance. It means so much to them and makes their event that much more special.”
As Devin continues to get older, she has gained more confidence and comfort in sharing her story in her own words. Recently, the speaking portion of some of the family’s engagements has transitioned from Nick and Debbi to Devin. Her parents know that giving Devin the opportunity to connect with folks who have a desire and passion to help others is promoting positivity and hope and building her into a leader. Their whole family feels inspired and motivated each time they volunteer, which drives them to continue to give back.
“One person can change so many lives,” said Devin. “All the volunteers I’ve met definitely changed my life, and my family’s. It’s all worth it in the end, when you know that you just changed someone’s life, and they are forever grateful.”
To learn how to get involved with Four Diamonds as a volunteer, click here.