A Winter Haven six-year-old is in a battle for his life after a routine visit to a doctor this past summer led to him being diagnosed with cancer.
- Marc Leriche, 6, went for routine check-up July 12
- Visit led to ER check-in, then referral to specialist
- Specialist revealed to family that Marc had pancreatic cancer
Berthony Leriche said he took his son, Marc, 6, to the doctor’s office on July 12. During that visit, the doctors felt something hard near Marc’s stomach and sent him to the emergency room.
That led to Marc being transferred to a specialist, who days later told the family Marc had pancreatic cancer.
“I feel so angry because ... when they told me, because you know, cancer, that’s very, very, very tough thing for people,” said Leriche, who immigrated to Florida 25 years ago from Haiti.
The cancer diagnosis has also been tough on the family. Berthony can’t find work because he has to take care of his son. The family of five is relying on his wife’s housekeeper income, which leaves a lot of bills unpaid.
“She’s the only one working, so it’s very difficult," said Leriche. "But anyway, we have to thank God. He takes care of us. We are not sick on the bed. We are not in the hospital. My son is sick but, well, nothing we can do. We have to thank God for everything,”
Marc is undergoing chemotherapy. Doctors hope the chemo will shrink the tumor, so they can surgically remove it.
Leriche, meanwhile, is praying the chemotherapy will get rid of the tumor all together.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family. To find out more or to help, click HERE.
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