About Nico
Nico Botha is an 19-year-old from Johannesburg, South Africa.
He is a bright, talented, and endlessly curious young man who was full of momentum just a year ago.
He had just graduated from high school, excelled in sports like field hockey, tennis, and golf, and was exploring the world with a natural sense of adventure.
But just months after graduation, his world turned upside down.
In early 2024
January 16, 2025
Nico began feeling pain in his right leg. At first, it was easy to chalk it up to a sports injury. Even during a trip to Los Angeles, he hiked, surfed, and even ran a 5K on July 4th, still smiling through the discomfort.
Nico’s pain became unbearable. A misdiagnosis had delayed the truth: Nico was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer that had already spread to his pelvis and spine.
Why We Need Your Help
Nico’s best shot at survival lies in a personalized treatment plan involving IPT (Insulin Potentiation Therapy) and integrative support therapies. Unfortunately, none of this is covered by health insurance in South Africa, and the public healthcare system is deeply underfunded.
Right now, Nico’s treatment costs between $10,000 and $13,000 USD per month, all out of pocket. His mother, Surette, has had to stop working to care for him full-time (from hospital visits and chemo appointments to late-night calls when Nico wakes up in pain).
To continue treatment beyond December 2025, Nico will need at least $100,000 USD. We’ve raised just over $30,000, which won’t even get us through the year.
That’s why we’re asking for your help.