Thank you for making a difference! Mike Nosco Foundation charity recipients 2015

Earlier this year we reached out and invited the collector community to bid in a series of special charity auctions featuring rare and one-of-a-kind items. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who participated, as you’ve helped us raise over $25,000 to benefit the Mike Nosco Foundation, who has made it their mission to provide financial relief to families and individuals who are confronting life-threatening illness. 100% of the proceeds were contributed directly to the foundation, and Sideshow is honored to do our small part, by providing a matching contribution to a cause that is very dear to us. Together we have been able to make a real impact in the lives of this year’s recipients, whose stories we humbly share with you below.

Lori Romig

Lori is a wife, a mother and a fierce fighter. In 2001, immediately following the birth of her daughter, Tatiana, Lori was diagnosed with a very rare form of tumor. Since 2001, her cancer has not been in remission for more than 18 months at a time. Lori has endured countless radiation treatments, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and numerous medical procedures to relieve the pressure on her brain and control seizures.

Despite these struggles, Lori and her family strive not to focus on the negatives. Their on-going journey has taught the Romig family many positive things. They feel that they are better, stronger people, who are more empathetic, compassionate and have a clearer perspective on life.

Unbelievably, while they have endured their own epic battle against cancer, they have stepped forward to do whatever they can to help and give back to others. The Romigs have participated in the Relay for Life for the past 10 years, raising more than $100,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Tim Romig, Lori’s husband, co-founded Face Off With Cancer, a nonprofit organization with the mission of supporting people in the Southern California hockey community who are battling cancer; the organization has raised nearly $100,000 over the past four years.

Kim Scherrei

Kim Scherrei is an amazing wife, and mother of four. In 2011, Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had no family history, no high risk factors, and leads a healthy lifestyle. On August 1, 2011 Kim had a double mastectomy, and that September she started an arduous chemotherapy regimen with severe side effects that made her road to recovery exceedingly difficult.

In December 2011, Kim was officially told that her cancer was in remission, and after 3 years thought she was “home free.” Unfortunately, in May of 2015, Kim received the devastating news that the cancer had come back, this time in her lymph nodes. She underwent surgery to remove one lymph node, and is waiting to see if the current course of chemotherapy is working, or if she will need to try a different strategy.

Kim’s husband, Chuck, and their children, Gwendolyn, Gretchen, John and Natalie are extremely grateful that Kim is currently in good spirits and at this time is able to be a part of their family life. Kim’s four kids love their Mom, and have done an amazing job dealing with the fact that the cancer has returned.

Joseph “Jordan” Dobson

At just 16 years old, Joseph “Jordan” Dobson has had to endure the horrifying effects of cancer for more than a decade. The Dobson family is one of approximately 500 families worldwide to have Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), a rare cancer predisposition hereditary disorder. Eleven years ago, Jordan watched his mother, Nana, and his then 3-year old brother, Matthew, simultaneously undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for two types of cancer. It was a devastating loss for the family when his mother passed away shortly after his brother was considered cured (the cancer is currently in remission). Along with their father, Joe, the boys carried on with their lives, thriving in school and enjoying sports.

In September 2014, the unexpected occurred. Jordan, a sophomore in high school on the cross-country team collapsed and suffered a full body seizure during a practice run. He was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where a scan revealed a mass on his brain, and was immediately flown to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) where a biopsy confirmed a malignant brain tumor. As the cancer was prevalent, it was immediately apparent that surgery and radiation were not viable treatment options. For several months, chemotherapy kept the tumor stable, but Jordan’s health began to slowly deteriorate from the toxicity of the drugs. His oncologist recommended a new course of action, and administered a clinical trial drug that had been proven successful in fighting other forms of cancer. Unfortunately, hope for the success of the drug was short-lived when an MRI revealed that the tumor had grown.

Although treatment options are extremely limited right now, Jordan and his family remain optimistic that a successful treatment will become available soon. In the meantime, Jordan remains mostly at home. Although he misses attending school and participating in various sports, spending time with friends, playing guitar, and computing/gaming help to curtail his boredom. Jordan’s wit and sense of humor (including a large dose of sarcasm!) help to lighten the mood. He is a strong young man, overtly protective of his brother, mindful of his manners, confident in his abilities, and aware of his circumstances. Regardless, Jordan is determined to beat his cancer. Through the continuing support of his family, friends, doctors, and the community, he finds strength and encouragement.

For more information about the Mike Nosco Foundation and ways you can help support these and other incredible families, please visit their website.