A message from Dave Borchard, Nichole's husband and Co-Founder

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Nichole’s illness happened so fast and ended her life too soon. She was an extraordinary woman, an incredible mother and my wife for nearly ten festive years. After being diagnosed in the summer of 2023 she fought like hell to live and get better.
 
She got smarter. She researched till her eyes were red and challenged oncologists with facts to ensure our family made the right choices for the best care. She redefined self-advocacy - badgering hospital administrators, sleuthing doctor's personal emails, engaging them and endearing them with her story. She got stronger. She spun her Peloton for thousands of revolutions, shook her bones to boost immunity, went on runs to clear her mind, changed her diet to manufacture ketones, pumped her blood with oxygen, lost weight and built muscle. She stayed festive. She made short hair look not just fashionable, but swoon-worthy. And dressed-to-impress for all her doctor’s appointments.  

 

All the while she asked, “How could anyone manage this?”  

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To that end, we established the Nichole Borchard Foundation to help other patients and families experiencing this type of ordeal: a cancer for which there is no definitive medicine; an ambiguous, slow, and often frustrating medical and insurance approval process; a dearth of clinical research; and too few experts in high grade small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (of the cervix). The Nichole Borchard Foundation embodies Nichole’s joy for life, fighting spirit and will empower doctors, patients, and caregivers to, in Nichole’s words, “be better.” 

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The Foundation was founded on September 11, 2024, which would have been her 40th birthday.  

 

Together, we can change the narrative for those facing high-grade neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoma, accelerate treatment access, and honor Nichole’s legacy.

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You can support the Foundation’s mission and honor Nichole’s legacy by contributing today.

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With gratitude,

Dave Borchard

Co-Founder & President