Nicholas’ Story

In February 2020, Nicholas McGuiness was a happy, healthy 27-year-old. He was fulfilling his dreams- living in San Diego and working for General Dynamics Nassco. He loved sports, especially the Philadelphia Eagles, golfing with his dad and brother, hanging out with his friends, family dinners, helping his community as a volunteer firefighter and above all else, his dog, Marlee.

However, everything changed on the morning of February 12th when Nick woke up with a headache so severe that he drove himself to the emergency room. Imaging showed a large brain mass. Nick was admitted to the hospital and two days later he underwent brain surgery to biopsy the mass. Nick and his family’s world was then turned upside down by the results: cancer. Nick was diagnosed with an inoperable Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma, which came with a devastatingly short life expectancy.

Determined to prove doctors wrong and be an outlier, Nick moved back to the East coast to be closer to his parents and family so he could begin his fight. He spent a lot of time researching the latest in medical innovations to give himself more time. With the help of family and friends, Nick traveled to California, Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Texas to seek out the top medical experts to help him find ways of treating this aggressive cancer. This battle was further complicated by his father’s devastating diagnosis of stage IV prostate cancer just months after Nick’s diagnosis. Nick and his father leaned on each other as both struggled with cancer. Nick remained kind, brave and strong throughout it all.

Despite the combined efforts of Johns Hopkins, Sibley, Sharp, Bayhealth and Penn, Nick peacefully departed this earth on July 19, 2022 at home surrounded by his family, and his unfair struggle finally came to an end. Modern medicine simply was no match to his deadly disease. We are grateful for the 29 years we were given with Nick and his infectious laugh and beautiful smile, but we are determined to help make sure no other families have to endure a loss this huge.

We are partnering with the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) to help provide funding and resources to find a cure for brain cancer, honoring our son, brother, uncle and friend, Nicholas P. McGuiness. Please join our fight to find THE BRAIN CANCER ANSWER!

Thank you, 

The McGuiness Family