by Bea Peterson
Nick Colaneri has wanted to be a police officer his entire life. A 2008 graduate of Cambridge Central School, Nick has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Hudson Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Albany. He also paid his way to, and completed, training at the Police Academy.
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He achieved his goal when he was appointed a part-time police officer in Hoosick Falls in June 2014. According to his doctors Nick completed his training at the Academy while living with stage four lymphoma. Pretty remarkable since often able bodied people can’t complete the program.
In a telephone interview with Nick’s mom Debbie, she said his illness has been misdiagnosed at least twice since 2011. He only recently received confirmation of lymphoma and just last week learned the cancer has spread to his bones, abdomen, spleen and heart. On Tuesday he and his mom attended a chemotherapy training class at the Southwestern Vermont Cancer Center and on Wednesday he began chemo therapy. Assisting in his treatment are doctors from the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.
Nick has asthma and severe allergies that complicate his treatment. He has had his own apartment, which they discovered contains mold that may have added to his health problems. No matter said Debbie, “he needs to be home,” with his parents. In order to provide a healthy environment for him they need to remove all the wall-to-wall carpeting on the second floor and replace it with tile. This is a project Debbie and Nick’s dad Tim are trying to tackle themselves, although they have no skills for taking on such a project. And they will be doing it along with getting Nick to treatments and Doctor’s appointments and dealing with the many financial issues related to his illness.
Insurance Running Out
Nick is covered under his parent’s family health insurance plan. However, when he turns 26 later this year, that coverage ends. “We’ll have to find out about Obamacare and whatever else is out there,” said Debbie. Nick has no insurance coverage as a part time police officer. Friends on Facebook have set up a go fund me account and in four days it has accumulated over $19,000 in donations. That account is gofundme.com/nick colaneri. A Colaneri Fund account has also been established at the Capital Communications Federal Credit Union (CAP COM FCU) and donations may be made at any branch. Donations may also be left at the Hoosick Falls Town Clerk’s Office week days from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm or mailed to the Office, 24 Main Street, Hoosick Falls.
“We can’t look at this as a tragedy,” said Debbie. “The concern and care of the community has been heartwarming. Nick has been shown so much love. We realize how fortunate we are to be surrounded by all this support.”[unprivate]