Hicks Family Strengthened By Supportive Community In Fight Against Pediatric Cancer

If there’s anybody out there that’s going through a similar situation that would like to talk to us about it, we’re here to help them.”

Nate Hicks

A week before Christmas, one of the things 8-year-old Clyde Hicks was most looking forward to was giving his big sister, Clover, a present he’d picked out for her birthday, which falls on December 25.

Clyde loves his family – his parents, sister and pets – as well as his friends, art, chess, puzzles, math, “Despicable Me” and “Minions.” The Oak Hill Elementary School third-grader is especially passionate about baseball, and has played as catcher, shortstop, pitcher – even a coach – on his Green Hornets spring and fall teams, the Nationals and Brewers. The memory of his teammates pushing his wheelchair to first base last summer still helps Clyde stay positive today as he bravely faces ongoing cancer treatments.

In November 2023, Clyde told his parents, Nate and Shelley Hicks, that he’d been having back pain. Following an MRI that revealed a mass between two of his vertebrae, he was diagnosed in December of that year with Grade 2-3 intramedullary astrocytoma, a rare pediatric spinal cancer.

As Clyde underwent 30 sessions of targeted proton radiation therapy, the cause of his cancer was identified as Mismatch Repair Syndrome, a rare genetic condition caused by gene mutations. Follow-up imaging in April 2024 revealed new challenges: Grade 2 brain cancer, separate from his spinal cancer. Clyde finished another 30 radiation sessions in late December 2024.

Throughout this journey that no child or parent wants to face, Clyde has demonstrated courage and optimism. He continued to play baseball regardless of how he felt, stayed in touch with his friends while at the hospital, and reached new heights – literally – on a family trip to California.

“I was tall enough for all of them – thank goodness! – and they were really fun,” Clyde said of riding the roller-coasters at Universal Studios Hollywood while on an unforgettable trip made possible through Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. Nationally, the nonprofit has granted more than 360,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses.

“Make-A-Wish was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Nate said, noting that the September 2024 family trip was planned out to the last detail, from travel to lodging to entertainment.

Clyde put his pitching skills to the test in a throwing game and won a prize on his first try: Agnes’ unicorn from “Despicable Me.” In addition to exploring Universal Studios, the Hicks family saw the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visited the iconic Santa Monica pier and arcade, and more during the trip.

“We really enjoyed just being together more than anything,” Nate said.

At home, the Hicks’ spirits have been lifted by their Oak Hill community: The school organized a parade to send Clyde off to radiation treatments, among other gestures. The scout groups Clyde and Clover are in have been unwavering in their support as well. Pack 918 provided gifts and gift cards during Clyde’s treatments to make hotel stays more comfortable, and Troop 2366 encouraged Clover with special activities.

Family friends launched a GoFundMe campaign for the Hicks, and Clyde’s baseball teammates have supported him wholeheartedly. The avid sports fan has even been welcomed as a special guest by the Baltimore Orioles, Savannah Bananas, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, Annapolis Blues, Maryland Terrapins and U.S. Naval Academy.

Nate and Shelley shared that every kindness their family has received has provided them with strength and motivation along their journey.

“Strong community and strong friends and strong family – all of those things have really helped,” Nate said.

A captain in the Air Force, Nate shared that after taking time to process the initial shock and sadness of Clyde’s diagnosis, he and Shelley decided that it wouldn’t do them much good to agonize over unknowns. Instead, they determined to take things “one day and one decision and one step at a time throughout the rest of the journey.”

Nate has also immersed himself in understanding the science of it all, considering it a blessing to learn so that he can help others process cancer diagnoses. “If there’s anybody out there that’s going through a similar situation that would like to talk to us about it, we’re here to help them,” he said.

Through physical therapy, Clyde is working toward walking again after losing some functionality in his legs. He will continue with immunotherapies to help his immune system fight cancer.

To learn more about Clyde’s journey and ways to support his family, go to www.onclydesside.com.