When Nikisha Hill looks back on the last few years of her life, she sees a journey marked by fear, resilience, unexpected challenges, and overwhelming gratitude. Her cancer story is not just about diagnosis and treatment, but about perseverance, family, and the role of community following a cancer diagnosis.
In 2023, Nikisha went in for what she thought was a routine check-up after experiencing stomach problems. That visit changed everything. She was diagnosed with colon cancer, thankfully caught early enough that it was not referenced by a “stage”. Surgery was the only treatment required, and at the time, she felt hopeful that the worst was behind her.
But in 2024, Nikisha received another devastating diagnosis: stage 1 liver cancer. This time, the journey was far more complicated. Her doctors recommended 12 rounds of chemotherapy. She began treatment in February of 2025, and soon after, her care team decided surgery could not wait. In April, surgeons removed a portion of her liver. Nikisha woke up with 27 staples and a long recovery ahead.
Chemotherapy was anything but straightforward. Nikisha was only able to complete four rounds before surgery paused her treatment. When chemo resumed, her fifth treatment triggered a severe allergic reaction that landed her in the hospital.
For the next two months, Nikisha spent two days every other week hospitalized so doctors could administer her chemotherapy through a highly controlled desensitization process. The treatment had to be delivered slowly and carefully under careful observation. Eventually, she was able to resume her regular chemotherapy schedule and complete all 12 rounds as originally planned.
In October 2025, Nikisha received the news she had been fighting for. Her scans were clear. She rang the bell, marking the end of treatment and the beginning of recovery.
The Financial Reality of Cancer
Before cancer, Nikisha’s life was busy and full. As the mother of four, with two teenagers still at home, it was her young grandson who would become her greatest source of strength. Loving life in a small town, Nikisha worked two jobs and was managing life like so many working parents do.
Then cancer changed everything.
Nikisha had to stop working due to the physical toll of treatment. Although she applied for disability, she did not receive assistance until August. During that time, bills continued to pile up. Because her care team was based in York, traveling back and forth to her home near Gettysburg was both exhausting and financially impossible. Fortunately she was able to stay with family in York during the duration of her treatment. Still, the bills back at home had to be paid.
“I wasn’t working, and everything became overwhelming all at once,” she shared.
Nikisha learned about Vickie’s Angel Foundation through her care team, and the support she received made a lasting difference. “I love the folks at Vickie’s,” she said. “They helped me with my phone bill and my gas. I wouldn’t have been able to contact my doctor without them. I wouldn’t have been able to make my appointments or talk with my doctors.”
Vickie’s Angel Foundation also helped Nikisha with car insurance and a utility bill during one of her most difficult periods. As she tried to catch up financially, the Foundation stepped in again during the holidays. “When they sent a Christmas wish list for my two teenage daughters, without them I just couldn’t have done it,” Nikisha shared. Beyond the financial strain, cancer reshaped Nikisha’s entire world. Personally, your whole life is affected,” she explained. “It affects everyone you’re in contact with.”
Experiencing cancer up close gave Nikisha a new perspective on life, love, and what truly matters. “The first thing I thought of was, who’s going to take care of my kids? Who’s going to love my kids like I love my kids?”
Looking Ahead
Today, Nikisha has been cleared by her doctors and is beginning the search for work again, hoping to find something less physically demanding. While recovery is ongoing and energy levels still fluctuate, she continues to push forward. “I still try to keep my energy up, but it’s tough some days. I just keep pushing through.”
Nikisha hopes her story encourages others to listen to their bodies and seek medical care when something feels off. “If you feel like something is wrong, you know your own body. Go get checked,” she said. “If you know that’s not how it normally is, go get checked. Thankfully, we caught my cancer early.”
She also hopes people understand that help is available. “If you fall on hard times like this, there are people out there with good hearts who help you get through some of these hard times.”