Nikki conceived the Nikki Mitchell Foundation during the final stages of her battle with pancreatic cancer. Before she passed away, she left behind a notebook outlining her vision, including the names of her first board of directors, potential collaborators, and the research she wanted to support.

 

After 31 months of battling pancreatic cancer, Nikki entrusted nine close friends with carrying out her wishes. NMF officially began its work in August 2013, just one month after Nikki’s passing on July 9, and has remained active and steadily growing ever since.

 

The Foundation’s first fundraiser was a small, intimate concert held in 2013 at Nikki’s Normandy River Café, with proceeds supporting the Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cyst Research Program. In the years that followed, NMF expanded its fundraising, awareness, research, and patient support efforts through concerts, golf tournaments, and strategic partnerships.

 

In 2016, NMF expanded its Bridge of Wings program to provide direct assistance to patients facing pancreatic cancer and created an awareness video in partnership with Jamey Johnson. In 2017, the Foundation nearly quadrupled the funds raised through its golf tournament, accelerating its ability to serve patients and invest in research.

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The Center was founded in 2022 in partnership with The Andrew Page Pancreas Cancer Fund.

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Today, NMF supports approximately 70 patients each month through Bridge of Wings, provides long-term lodging through Hope Suite Hope, invests in innovative pancreatic cancer research nationwide, and continues Nikki’s vision of advancing awareness, early detection, and ultimately, a cure.