Help Michael Pricoli In His Fight Against Cancer!

On April 11, 2021, Michael Pricoli was rushed to the hospital after waking to immense pain throughout his whole body. Two weeks later, he was formally diagnosed with fast-growing Grade II tanycytic ependymoma, located in the back of his neck, and later was further diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease.

Ependymoma is a rare tumor that forms in the brain or the spinal cord, and very little is known about it. It begins in the ependymal cells that line the passageways for cerebrospinal fluid, which nourishes the brain. Treatment for this form of cancer is usually through surgery, and if the tumor is malignant or if the surgery cannot remove the entire tumor, radiation therapy or chemotherapy are used as further treatments.
Michael is 21 years old, and a Sociology major at SUNY New Paltz. He has a contagiously positive aura which can brighten anyone’s day, whether through goofy mispronunciations or cheesy jokes. He loves to play video games and is constantly on Final Fantasy XIV. His favorite thing to do, however, is spending time with his girlfriend. He has a way of making silly romantic gestures seem cute, like singing on the phone together.
Michael’s a very loyal and active person. According to his cousin, he has never missed a single family event. He joined SUNY New Paltz Men’s Rugby in the Spring of 2020, and Alpha Phi Delta in the Fall. He’s that rare type of person that will listen to your problems or rants without judgement and will indiscriminately be there for anyone. Michael hopes that with his degree, he can become a guidance counselor for kids in the future.
Currently, doctors are focused on preventing the spread of leptomeningeal disease to his brain. Leptomeningeal disease occurs when cancer cells begin to migrate through the cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system (the spinal cord). These cells wouldn’t need to form large tumors to be considered viable, as the cerebrospinal fluid is rich in oxygen and nutrients. Untreated spread of this disease can lead to further complications throughout the rest of the body.
We’re all praying for Michael to win his fight against tanycytic ependymoma and hope that this fundraiser can not only help his family with the medical treatment and bills, but also raise awareness about such a rare form of cancer. Please, any amount you could donate would be greatly appreciated!