Pictured is Cody Crandall and Meagan Genco, a local couple who has been facing a series of health struggles, including Genco’s second round of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Submitted photo

For Meagan Genco and her fiance Cody Crandall, the last few years have been an ongoing series of health struggles.

The pair met during high school at Jamestown, where Crandall graduated in 2011 and Genco in 2013. The two did not start dating until 2020, two years after Crandall had a heart transplant in 2018. Since that time the two have become engaged, and Genco has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which she has beaten once but recently has been diagnosed with and is currently fighting a second time.

Fundraisers have been started for the couple, such as a Go Fund Me and a Facebook giveaway which is being run by Genco’s friend Amber Lee Pollinger, and runs until July 14.

“Meagan and I are close friends,” Pollinger said. “Our friendship started as co-workers at C.C. Ring Elementary where we both taught and it just grew from there. We have both since left Ring but stayed great friends.”

The raffle is to help with health expenses for Genco as her treatments have made her unable to work. The giveaway includes in the package a tumbler, hand sanitizer holder with a refillable bottle of hand sanitizer, a chapstick holder and a chapstick. The winner is able to pick the design and people can enter by donating $5 or more before Sunday. Pollinger will pick the winner Monday using a randomized spinner. Money can be sent through Venmo, @Amber-Pollinger or cash.

“I decided to do this fundraiser for several reasons,” Pollinger said. “Meagan is an amazing person who is going through something terrible. I wanted Meagan to know she is not alone, and she has a team of support. Meagan is going to face some financial burdens with the distance to Roswell and having a dog etc. Meagan will not be working during treatment due to the high demands of her treatment. She’ll be out until at least January.”

Pollinger said that even with all that Genco has been going through she is still smiling and positive. More about Pollinger’s raffle can be found under her Facebook page.

KEEPING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

For Genco, during her time fighting cancer and also dating Crandall after his heart transplant, she said she has learned to try and keep a positive outlook on life.

“The biggest thing for me personally between dating him with everything he went through and my own health struggles is to try and approach life with a positive outlook,” Genco said. “Don’t stress the little things. This has given me a new perspective. Bad things happen but you do the best you can with what you’re given. I think it has made our relationship stronger.”

With Genco and Crandall being in their 20s, life has changed more for them than what people might normally experience at that age. Genco said normally someone in their 20s is looking for jobs and things like that, instead of being given this type of news. Crandall said it has been very hard for both of them.

“It’s a tough situation for both of us, especially finding ways to balance our work lives, personal lives and health challenges,” Crandall said. “The support we have been given by family and friends has helped and we really appreciate all of the prayers and support.”

Genco said the outpouring of support has been humbling for the couple, including the amount of donations and fundraisers and support they have been receiving online. The amount of people that have been reaching out to them means a lot.

“I think this shows the impact we have been trying to make in our community and it is heartwarming because we did not expect it,” Genco said. “It gives you a different outlook to see all of these people offering their support and doing what they can. It’s been a struggle to find a balance for us but the outreach has been beyond words.”

‘DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF’

The overall health situations for both Crandall and Genco have taught them a lot about what is important to focus on in life.

“I think it’s a good lesson that sometimes life knocks you down, maybe more drastically for us than others, but you have to get back up again,” Crandall said. “There are things in life worth fighting for. Seize each day and take advantage of the time you have with your loved ones. Live life to the fullest.”

Along similar lines, Genco said she has learned to not take anything for granted, including any day, moment or person. She added that nothing is guaranteed and young or old anything can happen.

“Anything can happen in the blink of an eye, whether it’s cancer, a heart transplant, or even a car accident,” Genco said. “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and take and appreciate each day.”

For those in a similar situation to Genco or Crandall, she said to never feel ashamed or scared of being in that situation or story. She added to never feel like you are alone in your struggles.

“If you try to go it alone you end up going to a dark place and that makes it worse,” Genco said. “Don’t say ‘why me, and at this age?’ Realize there are others going through the same thing. Being negative does nothing but hurt you.”

Adding on to that, Crandall said to make sure to always be an advocate for yourself if you think something is wrong.

“It’s ok not to be ok,” Crandall said. “Listen to your body if something doesn’t feel right, and get it checked out. Listen to your doctors and advocate for yourself.”

More than anything, the pair wants to thank everyone for the continued support and love through the fundraisers and Go Fund Me. Crandall expressed that they are very grateful, adding that neither of them would be able to make it through this without it. Genco also said that it has meant a lot.

“I just want to express how much it means to us,” Genco said. “It truly makes a world of difference, especially on the rough days. Knowing people are rooting for us and supporting us, and finances are a huge piece of that through fundraisers, has meant a lot.”

The Go Fund Me for Genco can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/support-meagan-gencos-fight-against-lymphoma.