Joe Valentino went to the hospital on May 3rd, 2020 with what we thought were symptoms of a stroke but was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer of the brain or spinal cord. His surgeons at Vassar Hospital were able to remove 99% of the tumor, which was incredible. “Glioblastoma tumors are typically found in the outermost region of the brain, but they can occur anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. These tumors can be hard to remove completely because they tend to have irregular patterns of growth and a complex shape. They also grow into the brain. Microscopic parts of the tumor may spread over relatively large distances. This makes them very difficult to find and remove, especially if they involve important parts of the brain.”

We all thought for sure that he would be in that 1%, that 1% of people who live longer than 10 years after being diagnosed and moving forward with treatment. Sadly, 14-16 months is the life expectancy, and living longer than 2-3 years is considered long-term survival. But that's the kind of person Joe Val was, one that could make anything possible, one that was just somehow good at everything - like being a father, friend, husband, builder, son, uncle, grandpa, chef, party host, ice cream shop owner, or a guy that drinks all night long and wakes up ready to work at 6 am with no hangover? so yeah - we all had faith that he would also be the man to beat Glioblastoma, which he did for a short time between the summer of 2020 and the Fall of 2021 until it came back.

Joe passed away on November 19th, 2021 after fighting Glioblastoma for a year and seven months. He was so strong throughout that time and did everything he could to stay on top of treatments, doctor visits, and medication. Joe stayed in his Montana RV at Croton on The Hudson RV park for a month while undergoing radiation at MSK in Westchester. He knew he had an incredible team working on his treatment plan, but between the radiation, chemo, and the effects of Glioblastoma, it was exhausting for him.

It's so uncommon to beat this particular disease, and so difficult to treat. We hope that by having an annual cornhole fundraiser, as a community we can continue to support the research needed to get to a 2-year survival rate, then 3, 4, and so on. And, by funding more research, we hope the treatment plan can be easier on the patient so that they can still focus on enjoying their life, every day. So come out and support MSK Glioblastoma research by getting a partner and joining a cornhole tournament - or just coming out to watch and enjoy the day in memory of Joe Valentino.

Joseph F. Valentino Jr. was an exceptional man who truly lived life to the fullest every day without regret, but he had so much more life to live, so many more plans, and so many more memories to make. Being taken away from this life to an aggressive cancer is not fair and we'll do everything to support the research it takes to reach longer life expectancies and eventually, a cure.

Thank you in advance for coming out to support and/or donate, it means the world.