Nicole's Team Boosts Participation at Kids PMC Ride [IMAGE GALLERY]

The sun eventually broke through on an otherwise cloudy morning when approximately 210 kids participated in the Kids PMC Ride at the Westborough High School on Sunday, June 3. Offering rays of hope, children aged 3 to 13 biked in honor of Nicole Levine, a third grader at who was diagnosed in April with an extremely rare form of cancer, olfactory neuroblastoma.

Corinne McCabe, whose is in remission from cancer thanks to a liver transplant, said, "So many people wanted to support the Levine family in any way that they can and the Kids PMC really gave them the opportunity to do that... As of last night, we will raise at least $13,000 for the Jimmy Fund (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute). There's a lot more that will come in today."

Nicole's 11-year-old brother, Zachary, organized Team Nicole.

Nicole's dad, Jim Levine, is a primary care physician, and her mom Maria is an intensive care unit nurse. Jim said in the past 20 years, only 200 cases of olfactory neuroblastoma have been diagnosed in the English-speaking world.

"She had a prominence near her nose and tearing," said Jim about how the cancer was found. Nicole had surgery at Boston's Children's Hospital, and soon, will have five to six weeks of radiation at Mass General. Jim said that they family is hopeful for a cure.

Jim, who practices at Beth Israel Deaconess and Brigham and Woman's said that as a physician, he's been connected to Dana Farber, which is overseeing Nicole's treatment. He never thought he'd be involved with the hospital as a parent. Jim described being a physician and having a daughter with cancer as a "... double edged sword." He continued, "You can't shut off your brain ... but I can't do anything directly..."

Jimmy Fund Clinic

Jim Levine said that the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber has offered Nicole and her family excellent support. "The docs and support staff have cared for us and our son Zachary."

Nicole's grandmother, Tina Foglio of Milford, commented, "I cannot get over the response from this community. It's been amazing."

It Takes a Village

Nicole and Kayleigh were friends before Nicole's diagnosis, and the McCabes reached out to the Levines. Nicole's mom, Maria, said, "Corrine McCabe has been an unbelievable supporter... It's nice not to feel so alone."

Many of the bike riders had a connection to Nicole, and some had other connections to cancer. Nicole's friend Madeline Reinach of Westborough could not ride since she is recovering from a broken arm. Madeline said, "I am here because of my friend Nicole who got cancer. I can't ride, but I can watch."

Six-year-old Griffin Cooper of Grafton rode until he got too tired. Then he held aloft a sign that encouraged his nine-year-old brother, Jack, and his friend Ronan.

Ali and Chip Lattanzio and their young son Tyler cheered for their daughters Cassidy (10) and Lexi (8) who were riding in the event. Ali said, "This is the first year we've done this for a great cause."

The youngest fundraisers rode their bikes through a fog of bubbles created by a bubble machine. Located nearby was a raffle table with Jill Pollack and others from Westborough. Landry's was offering bikes repair, and DJ Roland from Cranston, RI, played music. Roland said that it was his third year volunteering at the event.

The mission to support Nicole, Kayleigh and the Jimmy Fund goes on. Contributions can be made to the Pan-Mass Challenge event at: Westborough Kids PMC Ride.