Kingsburg Football Player Fighting Cancer
Visit the links below if you'd like to donate to Jose Valencia's family.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A high school football player from Kingsburg is fighting off an opponent he never expected -- cancer.
Jose Valencia just returned home after a week-long stay at Valley Children's Hospital. He just finished two rounds of chemotherapy, just a week after being diagnosed with Stage Four Ewing Sarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer.
Carlos Valencia said, "He goes back and forth. There's times where it hurts him definitely and he needs to be in bed and there's other times where nothing hurts at all."
Jose and his brother Carlos both play on Kingsburg High School's football team. Since learning of Jose's diagnosis, his classmates have been rallying to support him through this battle. Starting Wednesday, fellow student Owen Ansel began a three day spare change fundraiser to help the Valencia family pay for medical bills, gas and hotels while Jose receives treatment.
Ansel added, "Jose is a fellow Viking that really needs our help and support and I was just thinking of ways we could help and support him."
The outpouring of love was seen as students donated whatever cash they could. Flyers are also hung up around campus keeping students and staff informed.
Principal Fred Cogan said, "A diagnosis like that, I mean we're talking about kids. And in our world kids have the rest of their lives ahead of themselves and we're helping them prepare for that life. So, when you're talking about a kid that has such a serious prognosis, that's sad to hear."
Jose's pain really started to kick in a couple months ago. Often times he'd find himself sitting out of practices and games. The normally energetic 16-year-old initially felt pain in his leg and attributed it to a possible football injury. Then, it spread throughout the rest of his body. The friendly, likeable athlete started to feel his injuries were debilitating.
Carlos added, "He went out to many hospitals and they would just give him a pain reliever. Then he went to Valley Children's and that's when (he) got diagnosed."
Jose will take a break from chemotherapy during the week of Christmas, which is also when he and his brother will turn 17-years-old.
Doctors say the treatments will last at least a year and it's important for him to stay positive as he fights a battle harder than any he's fought on the football field.
If you'd like to donate to Jose Valencia's family here are some links and information.
