ARIZONA NEWS

Off Central: Oregon man to bike to Arizona, raise funds for sick boy

Apr 1, 2019, 5:00 AM | Updated: 10:16 am

(Facebook/Benjamin Elliott)...

(Facebook/Benjamin Elliott)

(Facebook/Benjamin Elliott)

PHOENIX — Nico Pulido is your typical third grader. He loves football, video games and Legos. But he is also fighting for his life.

Last year, Nico was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excess fluid to build up in the brain, and an untreatable and incurable terminal brain cancer.

Nico, who lives in Queen Creek with his family, was approached by Benjamin Elliot — a Eugene, Oregon, man they had never met before — who committed himself to helping them in this trying time.

As complete strangers, Elliot saw Nico’s story on Facebook.

Elliot said he wanted to give back to Nico by biking in the Great Cycle Challenge. He will bike about 1,250 miles from Eugene to Queen Creek this June.

The cycling event brings together people from across the country who set a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to raise money to fight kids’ cancer.

Elliot said he felt compelled to act and knew this would be the perfect way to give back to a family that is enduring something he himself just went through with his own father.

“About a year and a half ago, my dad passed away from pancreatic cancer,” Elliot told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“I really wanted to honor him in a way that I could bike in a cycling challenge that raises money for childhood cancer awareness.”

In coordination with Nico’s mother Tiffany Pulito, Elliot flew down from Oregon on March 27 to surprise Nico at school and tell him about his biking challenge.

He also gave Nico a day he’ll never forget.

They started with shaving Elliot’s long beard and hair at Shave & Face in Phoenix. As Nico endures chemotherapy, Elliot said he did not want Nico feeling alone during the process.

Throughout the day of surprises, Elliot surprised Nico and his family with a limo ride around town and a shopping spree at Target to pick out some new toys and video games.

“There’s not enough words to say,” Tiffany Pulito said. “It’s overwhelming. It takes some of the pain away. It makes me want to go do things for other people.”

As he endures chemotherapy and fights for his life, Nico said it means a lot to him that Elliot would do this for him.

“That meant a lot to me because he really wants to fight this journey with me.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

David Schweikert and Amish Shah...

KTAR.com

Incumbent David Schweikert leads Amish Shah in Arizona CD1 race

Republican Rep. David Schweikert held a lead over Democrat Amish Shah in the race for Arizona Congressional District 1 as of Sunday morning.

6 minutes ago

Kari Lake has been gaining ground on Ruben Gallego since Election Day in Arizona's Senate race....

KTAR.com

Democrat Ruben Gallego stretches lead over Republican Kari Lake in tight Arizona Senate race

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego padded his lead following the latest ballot drop over Republican Kari Lake.

20 minutes ago

A developer purchased a 9.73-acre Queen Creek site to be converted into a RV, boat and self-storage...

David Veenstra

Developer buys Queen Creek site for self-storage, RV, boat parking

A developer purchased a 9.73-acre site in Queen Creek that will be converted into an RV, boat and self-storage facility. 

2 hours ago

A Phoenix woman who was carrying a large knife around an apartment complex is in critical condition...

David Veenstra

Phoenix woman carrying knife around apartment complex shot by police officers, in critical condition

A Phoenix woman who was carrying a large knife around an apartment complex is in critical condition after being shot by police on Saturday.

4 hours ago

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks...

Mignon A. Gould/Phoenix Business Journal

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks to debut in December

The much-anticipated Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks venue has set a December opening date.

6 hours ago

Arizona congressional races...

KTAR.com

Arizona’s 9 congressional seats are up for grabs; who is winning each race?

One Arizona congressional race remained highly competitive as of Thursday night, while the state's eight other U.S. House contests were pretty much settled.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Leading the Way in HVAC and Plumbing Services in Arizona

Tempe, AZ – Since its inception in 1985, Collins Comfort Masters has been a cornerstone in the HVAC and plumbing industry in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley.

...

Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Family & Sports Medicine physician, Midwestern University Comprehensive Care Clinic – Central Phoenix

Exercise is truly your best medicine

“You never slow down, you never grow old”. – Tom Petty

Off Central: Oregon man to bike to Arizona, raise funds for sick boy