In Her Honor
She never stopped fighting. Neither will we.
NICOLE “COCO” BURKE • 1993 – 2025
Nicole Burke was a mother, an athlete, and the kind of person who made everyone around her better. This is her story, in the words of her husband, Blaise Burke.
On May 25, 2025, I lost my wife, Nicole, and the mother of our sons, Steele and Stone, after a 15-month battle with stage 4 cancer.
What began as a routine visit to her OBGYN quickly turned into a nightmare. We learned that she had a rare pediatric cancer — Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma — that had already spread to her bone marrow.
What began as a routine visit to her OBGYN quickly turned into a nightmare. We learned that she had a rare pediatric cancer — Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma — that had already spread to her bone marrow.
After two weeks in the first hospital, we were given little to no hope, and Nicole’s health was declining rapidly. I will never forget the moment a doctor walked into the room and told her she had seven days to live. We refused to accept that as the end of her story. We transferred to IU Health in Indianapolis, where we regained a sense of hope and a team willing to fight alongside us.
"Nicole did not lose her battle to cancer. I believe she and the cancer both realized they were not going to quit — and in the end, they shook hands."
— Blaise Burke
co-founder, Team Sarcoma
co-founder, Team Sarcoma
Nicole needed immediate chemotherapy and radiation in order to survive, but treatment was complicated by the fact that she was 16 weeks pregnant. During the fight, we lost our baby girl, Whitley. As heartbreaking as that was, without her pregnancy we may not have discovered the cancer when we did.
Chemotherapy took effect quickly, and within months we felt like we were on a path to beating the disease. Over the course of the next year, our lives began to feel normal again. We were blessed with invaluable time together as a family, just the four of us making memories that I will carry forever.
With only two chemotherapy sessions remaining, our world was shattered once again. We learned that the cancer had spread to Nicole’s brain and spine. We continued the fight with experimental treatment, but after 15 months of chemotherapy, 18 rounds of radiation, and three surgeries, Nicole passed away. Nicole didn’t lose her battle to cancer. I believe she and the cancer both realized they were not going to quit and in the end, they shook hands.
Throughout this journey, Cummins was an incredible blessing to my family and me. From second-opinion resources, Anthem case managers, and Lyra, to the unwavering support of employees and managers we never had to fight alone.
After 15 months of battling this disease alongside my wife, I’ve gained a wealth of information, experience, and resources. I want to share what I’ve learned with anyone who is struggling themselves or supporting a loved one who is. No one should have to face a fight like this alone. The fight continues and I’m here to help.
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