In 2011, Craig Grasso was looking into purchasing life insurance to secure his family in the future.

The Grasso’s knew that their five children would quickly grow up, and that they would continue to age. What they didn’t know was that a routine life insurance exam for Craig would change their plans.

During the process, Craig found out he had multiple myeloma and has been battling this cancer for the past seven years.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs, according to the Mayo Clinic.

This type of cancer is also more likely to develop in men than in women, and cannot be prevented, according to the American Cancer Society.

“He didn’t have any symptoms before the exam, just a little bit of hip pain,” said Craig’s wife, Jodi Grasso. “We ate healthy organic foods and vitamins, so at first they thought he possibly had arthritis in his hip.”

Doctors know that myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in the bone marrow, the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most bones. Then, the abnormal cell multiplies rapidly.

“I had done research before knowing it was cancer, but I was in disbelief that that was an option,” said Jodi.

Craig’s hip pain ended up stemming from a lesion that was benign, but after a full body scan, it was clear that he had lesions in all of his long bones. 

Since Craig didn’t pass the life insurance exam because of an existing illness, his possibility of securing life insurance was eliminated.

Described as a “tough guy” by friends, Craig and his wife Jodi have pushed to remain strong for his family and provide as much of a normal life for them as possible. 

“Craig has managed to continue to working throughout all of his treatments,” said Jacqulin Powel-Audish, a friend of the family. “Only taking time off for a vertebra replacement in his spine two years ago and a recent bout of pneumonia.”

Related: Santa Clarita Toddler Fighting Leukemia To Have Fundraiser, Bone Marrow Drive

As a storyboard artist and instructor at CalArts, Craig has been able to provide for his family, working from home and going into the office, but doctors recently told him he can no longer do so.

Craig’s doctors have given them the news that they have run out of options and that the next step is giving him heavy doses of chemotherapy twice a week to see if he is eligible for a stem cell transplant.

“If this does not work they say the cancer will be very aggressive and his time left will be very limited,” said Tracy Boldroff, owner of Oak Creek Corral in Santa Clarita.

Boldroff has known the family for several years now because they ride at her ranch, help at events and have even made several horse rescues in the recent fires as well.

As active volunteers in the Los Angeles horse community, Craig and his family have created a whole other family out of their home.

“My husband loves horses and up until two years ago he stopped riding because of the tumors on his neck,” said Jodi.

Currently, the family’s out of pocket expense for Craig’s medication has increased to over $800 per month.

“In the last two years, we’ve spent more than $50,000,” said Jodi. “It’s sucked up all of our savings.”

During this difficult time, Boldroff and the ranch community are trying to raise funds for the family in order to pay for their monthly expenses.

“It’s really nice of people to understand that it’s a financial burden on top of the emotional burden,” said Jodi.

To help prevent financial distress, Powel-Audish has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family financially.

She, along with ranch owner Tracy Boldroff and Melissa Estrada, are also preparing a fundraiser ride for May 12, 2018.

“The ranch has been a blessing for us in many ways,” said Jodi.

The event will consist of a trail ride for those that ride and a walk for those who do not, followed by a dinner, dancing, mechanical bull, bounce house for the kids and an auction, according to Boldroff.

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