Make-A-Wish Grants Dream Pool to Young Cancer Fighter

A Dream Come True for a 5-Year-Old Fighting Brain Cancer

A 5-year-old boy’s dream came true on Tuesday morning when the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Johnson Brunetti delivered a backyard pool to his home in South Windsor. Nico Fazzino, who was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer nine months ago, received the pool in June, marking a significant milestone in his journey.

Nico's father, Sal Fazzino, shared how much the pool has meant to their family. “Nico really loves it and is appreciative of it,” he said. “The pool has been a godsend, and the kids enjoy it. It even brings me back 30 years to enjoying a pool as well.”

Before Nico’s diagnosis, the family had a different summer routine. They typically spent their summers at a lake house in Ellington. However, doctors advised against swimming in the lake due to the risk of infection from Nico’s medical port. “Unfortunately, with his port, it can get bacteria in it, and the lake is one of the worst areas for that and possibly causing a negative reaction,” Sal Fazzino explained.

Nico’s cancer journey began when doctors discovered a mass during a CT scan. “I rushed to the hospital. He had an MRI later that day, and they determined that there was almost a 3-inch mass on his brain. It was about 7.5 centimeters — very, very large,” Sal Fazzino recalled.

Dr. Martin from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center successfully removed the tumor, according to Nico’s mother, Michelle Fazzino. “We are very lucky that Dr. Martin from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center fully removed it,” she said. “Bowser is out of his head.”

Since the surgery, Nico has undergone extensive treatment, including six weeks of proton radiation therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He is currently receiving chemotherapy at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, with one session remaining.

The mineral-based pool with chlorine allows Nico to swim safely whenever he wants, his father said. Michelle Fazzino described the pool as healing for the entire family. “This pool has been so healing to us already. Laying in it, floating together as a family is so healing and calming and comforting. It just feels good to get vitamin D and relax and do normal stuff again in breaks from the hospital,” she said.

The family expressed gratitude for the community support throughout their journey. Sal Fazzino said he hopes to pay it forward once Nico is in remission. “We’re so thankful, and we’re hopefully at the home stretch here where Nico can be in remission, brain cancer free. I hope to pay it forward someday down the line with all the organizations and different people that have helped from the town,” he said.

For those interested in supporting children like Nico through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, more information is available on their website.

Cayla Cade is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at ccade@fox61.com. Follow her on X and Instagram.

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