April 19 dance benefits a young woman with an inoperable brain tumor

Local residents have an opportunity to dance the night away to the cool sounds of Trish Good and Side FX from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at Sentimental Journey (across Highway 395 from Artisan Coffee in Janesville), and the proceeds benefit a young woman who’s been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Cody Smith, 20, a former Lassen High School student who graduated from Mt. Lassen Charter School at 16, faces a daunting challenge — despite extensive tests to her blood, spinal fluid and tissue from the inoperable brain tumor itself, her doctors have not been able to diagnose the disease, and therefore they have not been able to begin treating her with the chemotherapy and radiation she is likely to need.

As one might imagine, the young woman’s illusive illness — first discovered after she complained of headaches in March — has put a tremendous financial burden on her family. All proceeds from the dance benefit Smith. Tickets are $20 single and $30 for a couple. The event also features snacks and drinks, a silent auction and raffle prizes.

The family decided to hold a dance instead of a dinner at Smith’s suggestion she wanted a live band.

“We’re trying to go all out and make it something fun,” said Rita Luallen, Smith’s grandmother, “not just for everyone else to do but for Cody to do because this poor girl is being put through the ringer.”

Smith has a large passion for animals. She earned a certificate in cattle reproduction, earned an AS degree as a veterinary technician, and she wants to stay in Lassen County so she can share her skills with the community and her love of animals with them, too. According to a flyer, she even risked her own safety to evacuate animals from recent wildfires and gave first aid to the injured or burned animals she encountered .

Trish Good and Side FX, one of the county’s favorite bands, offers a unique mix of classic and modern rock, pop, country and blues, with some originals thrown in for flavor that keeps them on the dance floor, and begging for more.

Donations are accepted at Golden One Credit Union — Cody’s Fund, account number 2908100.

Click here to go to Cody Smith’s GoFundMe page.

For more information, call Luallen at (209) 728-5430.