Doctor Dies From Cancer, Family Continues Legacy In South Jersey

VOORHEES, NJ — A Voorhees family is turning their son's legacy into a lasting way to help others battling cancer in the region.

At 14, Stephen Codella was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of sarcoma.

As a young cancer patient, Codella became drawn to medicine and helping others, his family said, after seeing what he and other kids fought through each and every day.

After graduating from St. Joseph's Prep, he continued his schooling at Fordham University and Thomas Jefferson University before finishing a residency at Temple University in internal medicine.

Tragedy ultimately struck in 2022 when cancer took his life at age 31.

Dr. Mark and Dr. Catherine Codella went on to create the Stephen E. Codella, MD Memorial Foundation in their son's honor to improve the lives of others through medicine, education, music, and hope.

"Stephen always drew strength and comfort from music," the Codellas shared with Patch. "One of the songs that he always fell back on during his treatment was 'Swim' by Jack's Mannequin...It's an inspirational song about survival and pushing through life's deepest struggles."

Following his death, the Foundation has kept his beat alive through charitable giving, partnerships, and programs to benefit cancer patients all over.

Their latest endeavor is called "comfort bags" for young adults at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Voorhees and surrounding areas.

"This became his community, and we still have close ties with caretakers," the Codellas said of the facility. "He is well remembered and regarded at Fox Chase. They appreciated his humor and his strength during times of adversity."

Created by Catherine and her sister, Christie, also the Foundation's Artistic Director, the project started with a gift of slippers designed to resemble the sneakers Stephen wore when he was initially diagnosed.

The footwear was placed in a small yellow shopping bag with yellow ribbons to recognize the color as standing for sarcoma awareness.

Each bag would also have a small tag sharing a bit of Stephen's story with the recipients.

"In each bag is a little piece of Stephen," the Codellas said.

The initial round included 60 bags that were given to Fox Chase to distribute based on need.

After the initiative gained such a positive response from patients, the Foundation is now curating these "kits" even further, with watercolor paints, puzzles, journals, and more.

They are even adding Wawa gift cards to bring a bit of familiarity and connection to the world outside hospital walls for patients and their families.

Wawa was also Stephen's favorite place to go as a medical student.

The goal, the family said, is to remind young adults they are not alone and that each person is individually special.

The bag program continues to evolve to respond to patient needs for long days of appointments or creative ways to spend chemotherapy infusion sessions.

The sense of normalcy while undergoing some of life's most challenging moments is also at the forefront of the Codella family's efforts to continue Stephen's empathy and compassion he shared for his patients.

Along with the variety of activities, seasonal aspects during holiday months and changes in the weather are in the plans for future gifts.

The family welcomes any volunteer who would like to help with bag preparation, fundraising events, assisting with the Foundation's gala, or others with backgrounds in the arts and technology fields.

Contact (856) 753-9364 or info@stephencodellafoundation.org for more on how to get involved.

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