Expenses Related to Todd Cooke's Cancer Treatment

Hi, I’m Anomaly Romano. Todd Cooke is my husband of almost 18 years. If you know Todd, you know the first thing that strikes you about him is his quirky sense of humor, and the second thing is his warmth and his generosity of spirit.

As a lifelong Asheville resident, he has had the opportunity to touch countless lives through his career in the local service industry. Patrons may have met him briefly across a bar, but years later, they remember the burly redhead with an infectious smile and deep mellow voice.

Todd is not only an amazing friend and co-worker, but also a devoted dad and a kind, and loving husband. He patiently indulges my wanderlust, willing to travel anywhere our budget allows, though Disney is our all-time favorite.

Our lives were turned upside down on February 22, 2023, when I took Todd to the ER for what we thought was just bad stomach pains. After a battery of tests and probably the most stressful 24 hours of our lives, we were shocked and devastated to learn that Todd has stage IV esophageal cancer, which has now spread to his lymph nodes and liver.

Our first oncology appointment is this week and it’s hard to describe the range of emotions we’re both feeling. Terror, sadness, and anger are mixed with determination and then sprinkled with hope. The prognosis is really scary, but we’re ready to fight this with everything we have.

And that’s why I created this fundraiser. To be honest, we need your help. We’ve always managed ourselves, but now we realize we have to swallow our pride and turn to our friends in our time of great need. We are working people and Todd has had to leave both of his jobs. Many of the supplemental treatments we’re looking into won’t be covered by insurance. There will undoubtedly be many other unforeseen expenses.

Every dime of your generosity will be used to help us fight this diagnosis and do everything we can to keep Todd with us for many more years. I need my husband, Jay needs his father, and his friends, family, and coworkers need his well-timed jokes, hilarious memory, compassion, and unfailing humor.

If you can't donate, we ask that you share this with someone whose life may have been touched by Todd. Anything is appreciated, from prayers, and words of love and support to a home-cooked meal.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Anomaly, Todd, and Jay