Support the Rodino Family (2023)

Rachel M. Rodino (3/21/02 - 4/7/10)

Rachel and her big sister Gianna were 2 peas in a pod and spent countless hours cuddling and loving one another. Rachel was a precious little girl. It was absolutely heartbreaking when at the age of 5, she started having unexplained seizures. Nine months after her first seizure, Rachel was diagnosed with the Juvenile form of Huntington's Disease (HD). Sadly, 18 months after that, Rachel died from complications of HD. This was obviously devastating for the family in so many ways, but little did they know that this was only the beginning of their trials and tribulations with this debilitating disease. For further information on HD, please visit

Huntington's Disease Society of America

Rachel's Dad, Rick Rodino. He was the second family member diagnosed in 2008 with Huntington's Disease at the age of 53. Unbeknownst to the family, Rick had been suffering with HD symptoms for almost 10 years prior. It wasn't until Rachel's diagnosis that the family learned that this hereditary neurological degenerative disease was in their family. Rick worked for Millionair at The Albany International Airport when he was first diagnosed. He was immediately put on disability and now only receives Social Security Disability.

Rick currently lives in his home in Guilderland and is currently in the latter stages of HD.

Anthony Rodino, Rick and Lori's son and Rachel's older brother. He was the third family member diagnosed with HD at the age of 19 in 2011 just 1 year after Rachel died. Anthony, a Guilderland HS grad (2010) is currently finishing his Associates Degree at HVCC where he has recieved his Digital Media & Arts Certificate. He hopes to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 9/2015 to obtain a BS in Electronic Arts with a concentration in Visual Arts & Animation.

Attending college is imperative to Anthony's well being and his over all health. School gives Anthony purpose and it helps him stay focused with positive thoughts for a better future. The family will be applying for financial aid, but additional funding will be needed to help cover the additional costs of attending college.

Gianna Rodino, Rick and Lori's eldest daughter and Rachel's older sister. Gianna was the 4th member of the family to be diagnosed with HD in 2011 at the age of 17. She currently attends Siena College as a Junior and is working towards her Social Worker Degree. She hopes to work in the community and is planning on doing an internship with Hospice this Summer. She too hopes to continue her education and work towards a Masters degree in social work at SUNY-Albany.

As with Anthony, college has been a necessity for Gianna's well being. It has allowed her to stay focused on the future and enable her to live as normally as possible. Even though there are many moments when the sadness of her reality seems too much to bear, Gianna continues to stay strong, push forward and love life, with the support of her family and friends.

And last but certainly not least, Lori (Bernard) Rodino. She is one of the strongest, most courageous, loving and caring people in this world. She is always the first to help others in need and is always there for you with a smile, a hug or words of encouragement. She never complains (honestly never) but her family and friends know that she worries terribly about how she will continue to care for her family 24 hours a day and still keep the house, pay the bills, put food on their table, and put gas in their car. For many years, it has been a struggle to make ends meet while she leads her family through the misfortunes of this terminally debilitating disease - Huntington's Disease.

Please help the Rodino Family by starting a Chain of Love and by donating whatever you have been blessed with to spare.

With your donations, we can first payoff the mortgage of their home. Keeping this family in their home is vital as it plays a significant role in maintaining the mental stability of each family member. Reducing the financial stress of a mortgage payment would allow the family to enjoy life and focus on living.

It's important to know that this is the Rodino's first home. They moved here in 2005 after losing their past residence to a fire. Many memories have been made here and it would be an absolute gift to enable them to continue to make more here.

God Bless and thank you so much for taking the time to read the Rodino Family story. Please pass this on to as many people as you know. Together we can make this happen.