Support Rod Ford's Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

Roderick Ford II, Rod, Coach Ford, Tre and Miles’ dad, your kid’s favorite teacher/mentor, our brother, our friend, our FAMILY, needs your help!

Just coming up on a year ago, October 2023, Rod was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer that had already spread to his liver. The devastating news explained a series of health scares and issues that Rod had been facing for months, years, leading up to the diagnosis.

Roderick Ford II is the son of Roderick Ford and Miranda Ford. His parents both had cancer battles of their own. Mrs. Ford, whose life was taken way too soon from her cancer battle in September of 2012, and Mr. Ford who survived his cancer bout while Rod was away for college at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA.

At the time of Rod’s diagnosis in October, 2023 Rod came out swinging hard. Going in and out of the doctor’s appointments and hospital visits with the attitude that he was going to put his all towards defeating cancer to continue to be the loving husband to his wife Danielle, and father to his two sons, Roderick III (Tre) and Miles. Months in, it started to take a toll on him not just physically, but emotionally as well. Long hospital stays and having to adjust to multiple types of treatments while the doctors tried to figure out his plan of care, Rod was missing out on events he loved doing most; spending time with his family and working as a coach and Student Success Mentor on campus at Las Vegas High School.

With the time that has gone by, Rod and Danielle have been able to keep their heads above water with the amazing support of friends and family all throughout the city, and all over the country. From the support from Rod’s principal and school community, families who have brought over meals, Danielle and Rod’s family coming into town from across the country, babysitters who have taken the boys so Danielle can spend time with Rod in the hospital, friends that come over just to be next to Rod as he goes through the rough battles of chemotherapy treatments, and loved ones who planned quick getaways for him and his family to help alleviate the stresses of the battle. All of which Rod and Danielle are beyond grateful for.

However, while dealing with the battle they have accumulated a great deal of debt due to a lack of support from their insurance provider. Rod’s unique diagnosis has required him to travel out of the state multiple times to undergo health treatment. Rod has also gone through specialized treatments that were told by insurance that can only be “partially covered” and sometimes not covered AT ALL. Without the aid of insurance and the excess amount of hospital visits, Rod has already accumulated an excessive amount in medical bills that have not been covered. With the battle still in its greatest rounds, there is no telling how much more debt the Ford family will accumulate.

The Ford family, as humble as they can be, have tried so many options for financial support, but have exhausted all their options. While sitting with Rod in the hospital months ago one of his doctors suggested that I start a GoFundMe page to help support the expenses, but Rod and Danielle humbly told me to hold off to see what the family can handle first. I, Avant Sr., as one of Rod’s best friends- someone I consider a brother to me, cannot sit back and wait for the debt to overwhelm him and his family any longer. Rod has spent his entire life helping others, and now he needs our help. Rod has been in and out of work for months, battling for his life. Rod has shown so much love and compassion for everyone he’s met throughout his life. Now, it’s our turn to show our love and support for him. Any amount that you can donate will be greatly appreciated by the Ford Family.