Cody’s Story

After being hit in the eye with a baseball, Cody was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a brain tumor of the cerebellum, at the age of 17. His life for the next 5 and ½ years was never the same.

Cody survived multiple brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy as a patient of the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta and Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. His journey with cancer allowed him to develop a new perspective on life. Over time, he realized the importance of prayer, faith, and community.

During his extensive travel for medical treatments and clinical trials Cody would say, “I wish we lived closer, so we wouldn’t have to drive so far every day for treatment.” From that wish and the support from his family, Refuge Stays became a life mission for Cody in an effort to help other pediatric patients.

Cody passed away on January 31, 2022. He fought courageously for almost six years, and his impact on others will always be cherished. Today, Cody’s mother and family continue to honor his legacy and finish what he started by giving hope to others – one stay at a time.