Hey everyone, my name is Cody Tilton, and in February 2026 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 testicular cancer. Shortly after, I began chemotherapy, and my life completely changed overnight.
Before my diagnosis, I was already trying hard to rebuild my life after years of addiction, homelessness, and instability. I had finally gotten into a transitional living program, was focused on recovery, and for the first time in a long time I truly felt hopeful about my future and where my life was heading.
Then cancer happened.
Since starting treatment, I haven’t been able to work because of the physical and mental toll chemotherapy has taken on me. Between appointments, exhaustion, getting sick, and trying to process everything emotionally, it’s been overwhelming. I also don’t really have financial support to fall back on, so things have become difficult very quickly.
What makes this especially hard is that I finally felt like I was becoming the person I wanted to be before all of this happened. But even through cancer, I’m still fighting to move forward and rebuild my life.
One of the biggest things motivating me right now is my future. During and after treatment, I want to earn my HSED and continue school to become a mental health counselor. After everything I’ve been through addiction, recovery, homelessness, and now cancer I want to someday help people who feel lost, overwhelmed, or alone the same way I once did.
I’m making this GoFundMe because right now I truly need help staying stable while going through treatment. Donations will help with transportation to appointments, housing, food, medical-related expenses, and basic day-to-day survival while I focus on healing and recovery.
Even if you can’t donate, sharing this means more than you know.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for helping me keep fighting forward.