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When Nicole and Matt Atkins rushed their seven-week-old son Nate to the ER at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, they had no idea how close they were cutting it.
Nate was suffering from a rare brain tumor and a dangerous buildup of fluid in his skull. Doctors later told them he had hours, not days.
But he also had a major advantage: he lived in Fitler Square.
The neighborhood’s proximity to CHOP almost certainly saved his life. And in the days that followed, the community around him would help raise more than $60,000 for pediatric cancer research and care.
South Street Market posted his photo in the self-checkout lane. Philly Bagels and Igloo put signs in their windows. Zahav sent dinner to the hospital. Neighbors he barely knew watered the plants, brought in packages, and sent food.
“We were never alone,” Nicole said.
Ten minutes to CHOP, just in time
Nate was born on May 2 of this year. But at seven weeks, he started vomiting, refused bottles, and became lethargic. A pediatrician visit led to a mistaken reflux diagnosis. When Nate’s body temperature dropped the next morning, Nicole and Matt drove straight to CHOP.
By the time they crossed the South Street Bridge, Nate was barely responsive. Doctors quickly discovered the source: a choroid plexus papilloma, a rare, benign tumor seen in about two out of every million cases. It was blocking fluid and causing acute hydrocephalus, potentially fatal without intervention.
Nate underwent emergency surgery to relieve the pressure that night, followed by a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Fortunately, his tumor is operable. Additional interventions, currently scheduled for later this year, are expected to cure it.
A neighborhood that shows up
Back on the 2100 block of Fitzwater Street, where the Atkins family moved just last year, neighbors didn’t hesitate. Some gathered their mail. Others wheeled in the trash bins. Gift cards for Uber and Doordash arrived.
Local businesses embraced the family’s fundraising efforts. South Street Market, Igloo, and Philly Bagels all displayed Nate’s story alongside QR codes linking to gonatego.com, where donations pour in daily.
Larger companies joined in too: DoorDash gave $2,500. The CEO of GitHub donated $5,000 after learning the fundraising site had been built on his platform. Vercel’s CEO gave $1,000.
One night at the hospital, a full tasting menu from Zahav arrived, sent after a family member reached out, remembering that Nicole and Matt had celebrated their wedding at one of Zahav’s sister restaurants.
All Funds Go to Pediatric Research
None of the money raised goes toward Nate’s own care. Thanks to Pennsylvania’s PH95 program, which provides full medical coverage to children with disabilities regardless of family income, all of Nate’s surgeries and treatments are covered.
Instead, every dollar supports CHOP’s pediatric cancer research and care. The Atkins family says that’s exactly as it should be. “We’re grateful,” Matt said. “But we know not every family gets this kind of outcome. If we can help others by telling Nate’s story, we’re going to.”
As for Nate, he’s home, smiling, and spending time with family. His parents are staying focused on October’s surgery. But they also know they’re not facing it alone.
“Fitler Square showed up for us,” Nicole said. “And we’ll never forget it.”