Cancer.

It’s the diagnosis that drops the hearts of patients and their family members to the floor.

It can happen to anyone at any time. But it is always shocking no matter how it happens.

Recently, Akins faculty members have been struggling as they support family members who are fighting cancer.

For criminal justice teacher David Lopez, his nephew’s diagnosis and treatment of Ewing’s Sarcoma has been a whirlwind of long hospital stays, doctor visits and prayers to keep strong and healthy.

Lopez’s nephew TJ Lopez, 21, was diagnosed with the cancer when he was 19. The disease causes extreme pain in the bones. If it’s found before it spreads to multiple organs, Ewing’s Sarcoma can be treated successfully in 50 to 75 percent of cases. However, many illnesses creates the same symptoms which causes it to be missed in some of its early ages.

The fight has been draining for Lopez and his family, but the slogan “FIGHT TJ FIGHT” has kept them going. Lopez passed around yellow fliers with the slogan on it so teachers could put them in their car windows.

“I give them to students because maybe while they’re driving around TJ will see it,” he said.

Cancer doesn’t only affect the heart of the family, Lopez said.

“Cancer is draining emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. It’s mindfully numb,” he said.

Akins athletic trainer Phillip Jones’ brother-in-law Wesley White is suffering from another form of cancer called Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was diagnosed earlier this year.

“It’s a blood cancer that attacks bone marrow,” Jones said.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia interferes with the production of normal blood cells by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells gathering together in the bone marrow, which is flexible tissue inside bones.

Students and teachers helped contribute by attending a Zumba fundraiser and by donating at the silent auction. About 30 people attended and participated in these events.

“Wesley couldn’t make it because he recently underwent a stem cell transplant and is not able to travel yet, but the donations help with paying his medical bills because he’s self-employed,” he said.

Students and teachers can also become a bone marrow donor because doctors are having a difficult time trying to find a match for him.

Donating bone marrow could help White or the many other people suffering from Leukemia.