The Council of the Nicholas Zoe Foundation (NZF) delivered the first grant of $100,000 in memory of Nikola Artemiou to the Research Unit of the Pediatric Hospital of Boston on April 18 for the completion of the research project aimed at developing a simple blood test to monitor the response to treatment of children suffering from Ewing's Sarcoma and other oncological diseases such as Neuroblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma. Alexia Potamitou, mother of Nikola Artemiou and president of the NZF foundation, stated, "This was Nikola's wish so that no child would have to suffer like he did and could fight the 'beast,' as he often called his illness, Ewing's Sarcoma, which prematurely ended his life."

On April 18, a small group of NZF mothers and their children, including Nikola's sister, Theodora, visited the Pediatric Hospital of Boston and delivered the $100,000 grant they raised from contributions of friends and supporters of NZF from America, Cyprus, and around the world as the beginning of the effort to support this particular research project so that Nikola's wish, "No child should feel the pain he felt," becomes a reality.

This effort will continue until the goal of $500,000 is reached, as needed to complete the research so that with a simple blood test, and not painful biopsies and examinations, the response to treatment can be monitored.

According to the lead researcher of the Harvard University program, Dr. Mark Fleming, "This research will help in selecting the best and most effective treatment for solid tumors in children. With the help and financial support of the NZFoundation, we will additionally be able to monitor with a simple blood test the response to treatment without the need for invasive biopsies and imaging examinations, and to know that a child with a tumor is receiving proper treatment with a good response.

Every contribution to NZF, even $1 or €1, will be a contribution to the ultimate goal and purpose of bringing smiles to these children wherever they come from or live and suffer from solid oncological diseases. The pain of children has no homeland; we can help wherever we are.

For more information, please visit: WWW.NICHOLASZOEFOUNDATION.COM