Basketball game honors 12-year-old cancer victim

By Laurie Gordon
STANHOPE — Last Tuesday January 17, the Lenape Valley Regional High School (LVRHS) Boys Basketball Team played a game. But this wasn't just any game. No one in the gym was to make a sound until the Patriots scored their eighth point. The gymnasium remained silent, and when that eighth point was scored, the crowd exploded. The game was to honor Number Eight: a boy named Nick Whilborg who would have been walking the Lenape halls as a freshman this year had he not lost his battle with cancer.
Nicholas "Nick" David Wihlborg, 12, died on November 19, 2014 when he passed away at his home. He was born in Livingston and lived all of his life in Stanhope. He was an Honors Student at the Valley Road School and All-Star in the Lakeland Little League. He loved baseball, hockey (especially the Devils) and loved cooking after watching the cooking channel. His favorite number was eight, so the game was silent until the Patriots scored their eighth point in his memory.
Wihlborg's father and the president of the Nicholas Wihlborg Foundation, David Wihlborg said, “This year's game was very similar to last year's, except Lenape was able to score 8 points sooner.” He added, “I think the student body was definitely more excited this year. It's the anticipation that helps build up the ultimate roar of the crowd.”
Wihlborg added, “This really means a lot to my family. Unfortunately my wife, Lori, didn't make it due to her being sick. It is an awesome experience and we will continue to do it as long as the coaches and teams are interested. Both teams and coaches have been wonderful the past two seasons.”
The Nicholas Wihlborg Foundation is barely two years old but has already been able to help out approximately 14 families with donations in the sun of $7,000.00. “We have also been able to raise money at other events we hold to proving a Vgo robot for the center Nick went to, The Valerie Center at the Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown. We have also sent some $5,000.00 in gift certificates, toys and other items to the center. But one of our biggest achievements was donating $10,000.00 soon to be more to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for research,” Wihlborg said, “ Last year we were able to donate $2,500 to Dana Farber in Boston. We hope to continue to raise more cash, and most importantly raise awareness to childhood cancer.”
Entitled Team Nick Basketball Night, the Nick's parents are hoping the game will be an annual tradition for a long time. “These events are very important for the simple reason,” Wihlborg said, “The coach heard of our story and decided to ask if we were interested last year. It's great to be asked to participate when it is someone else's idea. That makes it all the more special, the enthusiasm of the coaches and players.”
For further information about the Nicholas Wihlborg Foundation, visit: www.nick8w.org/
“We are always looking for ideas and volunteers for our events,” Wihlborg said.