Support Cody as he beats this rare and aggressive form of sarcoma cancer. We know he can do this. Your contribution to this fund will help support Cody while his income is reduced, his expenses rise astronomically and his energy is spent on recovery and rehabilitation. Please share this page far and wide.

Hi, I am Toni McGrath, one of Cody's grandmas and on behalf of his entire family i am asking for your support to help Cody in his battle to kick cancer's butt. The, McGrath/Hill, Watt/Maxwell and Perrine/Agostinello families and many friends have supported Cody as he began his struggle toward recovery. Today we are expanding this support system. After months of treatment, the most difficult part of this battle is in front of him now, and we are asking for help from his community.

Cody’s Challenge

Cody was diagnosed in January of 2022 with a rare, very aggressive cancer. Cody has synovial sarcoma in his right shoulder. Synovial sarcomas involve the connective tissue and the bone. His tumor affects his shoulder blade, collar bone, humerus (the large bone of his upper arm) and the connective tissue within that area. Treatment began in February with four months of chemotherapy, then a month of radiation. Cody bravely and with great persistence handled the chemo and radiation well, but now he faces major surgery. For many cancer patients suffering through chemo and radiation may end the journey, but for Cody, this was only the beginning.

On November 4th, Cody will face the real battle in this fight and that fight will be 150 miles from home, complicating all the logistics for him and his support team. He will have a full-day surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering under the skillful hands of three world-class surgical teams. Follow-up support will take place in both Sloan Kettering in New York City and New York Oncology and Hematology in Albany. After his surgical stay in the hospital and his recovery from the surgery, he will begin his physical and occupational therapy to master life with one shoulder that does not function. He is encouraged by his surgeons, who are confident that he will retain the use of his arm from the elbow to the fingers, but his right shoulder will not move. It's a lot for a 24-year-old to face, but if you know Cody, you know he has a bullheadedness that will serve him well in this endeavor. He and his best friend Emily Rugari are a team to reckon with.

Cody’s Gofundme Campaign

Cody’s Gofundme Campaign

The nature of Cody’s condition has meant that he has had to put aside almost every other aspect of his life. He has been unable to work since January of 2022. Cody applied for Social Security Disability in March of 2022 but confirmation and funds have been incredibly slow, and we are still without an answer about when or if he will receive them. Just recently, he has been told by Social Security that he will have to finish treatment to even be considered. We are still exploring what that means, but it appears he will not have income as he works through this crisis and recovery. We have reached out to The Cancer Society and they are not able to provide transportation expenses or housing in NYC. We have become acutely aware that young adults with cancer are an incredibly underserved community, leading to delayed diagnoses and lower survival rates. This lack of service and support has meant that after seven months, Cody’s resources have been stretched to the limit, and he is still facing surgery, the immediate recovery and a long rehabilitation period. The money raised here will help carry him through this next phase.

Your Support

Cody has given up his job in HVAC and now fights cancer as his new occupation. It will take all his strength and his conviction to win the battle. Your gift will help him cover the following expenses in the coming year.

Housing and Transportation

Health and Medical

Cody

If you are here you probably know Cody. He’s a smart, witty and I might add very sweet guy. He fell in love with Emily Rugari last year; they have been pretty inseparable ever since. Emily is a wonderful cheerleader for Cody, and we have all grown to love her. Cody studied HVAC at Hudson Valley Community College and earned an Associates Degree there. He worked for several years for Holbrook Heating and Air Conditioning, but he will likely need to explore new fields once his rehabilitation is completed. Cody enjoys fishing, video games, live music and lots of good friends and buddies. We know he has what it takes to make it through this.