Nickeya Warren
2004 Community Hero
It doesn’t take much to coax Nickeya, 4, into belting out her favorite tunes – for instance, “One-Two Buckle My Shoe,” or “Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round.” In fact, Nickeya (“Keya” for short) would be happy to sing all day long! Unless of course, she’s in the middle of eating an eclectic selection of her favorite foods, including pickles, pizza, salads and candy. An energetic, curious little girl, Nickeya enjoys playing in the park with her younger brother, riding her bike and attending playschool.
On March 12, 2003, Nickeya’s parents learned that their daughter suffered from a Pilocytic Astrocytoma brain tumor. During a year’s course of treatment, Nickeya has experienced numerous pokes, prods, weekly chemotherapy treatments, brain surgery and much pain. Nonetheless, she confronts these challenges with poise and a bright outlook that amazes her family. “Nickeya’s gone through so much, and yet she does everything she needs to do with a smile. We are so very proud of her,” says her mother, Nicole. Those who know little Nickeya are touched by her compassionate, brave heart and willingness to help others.
