Community lends support to cancer patient

AMENIA — The Harlem Valley community has rallied for 26-year-old Justin Agrella, who just six months ago was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A fundraiser was held Sunday, June 28, at the Amenia Fish and Game, aptly called “Justin’s Journey,� which many of his friends and family attended in support of him.

Agrella, a Dover Plains native, is now undergoing chemotherapy, which will soon lead to radiation treatment. When he became ill, Agrella had to stop taking classes at SUNY Albany, where he’s majoring in psychology and minoring in business. He also stopped working and initially had no health insurance. That means he was left to pay for a $17,000 mediastinoscopy (a surgery to detect Hodgkin’s lymphoma) by himself, something he’s still struggling to do. Hodgkin’s lymphoma — also known as Hodgkin’s disease — is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.

That first surgery came back negative, which left Agrella and his family at a loss for why he was so ill. It wasn’t until three months later, when everything else was ruled out, that a second mediastinoscopy was done that it was confirmed that he did indeed have Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“I think that was the hardest part of it, not knowing for months while he was in a great deal of pain,� said Justin’s mother, Beth Agrella. “He started treatment one month later.�

That treatment includes 12 chemotherapy sessions, six of which have been completed. But they leave him in a weakened condition that didn’t even allow him the strength to speak on the phone for a brief interview.

Now Agrella’s girlfriend, her family and his family are helping to support him as he attempts to pay back medical and related bills. That’s where the Justin’s Journey fundraiser came into play.

“We just put this together with Linda Gregory, of the Lions Club, who was just amazing, and donations are still coming in,� Beth Agrella said, adding that roughly 80 people attended the Amenia event. The fish and game club donated its grounds, NASCAR Dave MacMillan donated hot dogs, hamburgers and buns, local businesses donated drinks, food, gift certificates, raffle prizes, etc. And individuals made donations to help ease the financial burden Justin Agrella is now facing while fighting the battle of his life.

“It was pretty overwhelming,� his mother said, adding that it was touching how businesses offered help when asked and how the community pulled together so swiftly to support the cause. “A woman from New York City and her family stopped for lunch at a place on Route 22 and both she and her husband had cancer, and they empathized with Justin. They saw the flyer so they wanted to send a donation. Family and friends is one thing, but a stranger — the whole thing is kind of overwhelming.

“I think all of us are touched by cancer and I think that generates a response like that,� she added. “And I think it’s more so when it’s with a young person. I myself know because it happened to us. I can’t imagine if it were a young child. I don’t know how a parent deals with that. At least Justin is aware of what’s happening. It certainly changes his whole perspective on life.�

Beth Agrella said she’s optimistic, as the recovery rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma is “pretty high,� depending on its stage. She also said her son has a “really great attitude,� and a lot of support from those around him.

The fundraiser netted nearly $6,500, which will go toward his medical bills. Donations are still being accepted; for more information, contact Beth Agrella at 845-705-0628 or Linda Euvrard at 860-364-5843.