Cody Hulst was born on Februrary 22, 1996, to Brenda and Matt Hulst of St. Cloud. He was a happy little boy who enjoyed making others around him laugh and smile. He had many friends both grown-ups and kids. He liked music, video and computer games, going for wagon rides and he loved animals. Cody attended kindergarten at Talahi Elementary School and he loved to learn.
On January 9, 2001, Cody was diagnosed with cancer. He had a Wilms tumor in his kidney that had grown and burst. He endured radiation and chemotherapy for nine months, and not more than a month after the treatments ended, cancer was found in his lungs. Further treatment was not able to stop the tumors from growing and Cody died on August 20, 2002.
As a tribute to Cody and an effort to help his parents with their expenses, Cody’s grown-up friends organized Cody’s Rockin’ Benefit for Charity, a benefit held at the Red Carpet in February 2002. Seven area and Twin Cities bands played all day long. His parents and friends have continued their fundraising efforts by establishing The Cody Foundation, which is dedicated to raising awareness of children’s cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and making life a little easier for the children and their families. They host an annual golf tournament and Cody’s Red Carpet Benefit rocks on as the Cody Jam.