Fans rally behind former South Carolina QB after cancer diagnosis
Former South Carolina Gamecock quarterback Stehen Garcia has been diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Gamecock Nation responds with support.
Sometimes, there are updates in the sporting world that stop the scroll dead in your tracks, and this is one of them. Former South Carolina quarterback and Gamecock legend Stephen Garcia revealed he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. A GoFundMe has since been created to support his treatment, as well as his family, as he begins an aggressive medical fight.
His wife, Masha, shared via Facebook that after several days in the ER, extensive testing, including MRIs, CT scans, and a difficult hospital stay, doctors confirmed the diagnosis. Garcia has begun chemotherapy, with FOLFIRINOX identified as the initial treatment path. “Wasn’t overly excited to share this news but it is what it is,” Garcia wrote in a post.
“We have a great team of doctors and staff that’s confident we can beat this! It’s the only option. ” There’s a particular kind of defiance in his words, typical of Gamecock Nation's former and favorite QB1.
Garcia also used his message to urge others to get checked, to listen to their bodies, and not to delay care when something feels off. To South Carolina fans, Stephen Garcia is not a neutral figure, or a set of stats to recall on a Saturday afternoon tailgate. Garcia is so much more than that to Gamecock Nation.