Sharks head coach Mark Fischer says he has multiple forms of cancer.
St. James High football coach Mark Fischer has cancer. That did not stop the 48-year old field boss from coaching his Sharks on Friday night.
Contacted prior to kickoff, St. James Athletics Director Paula Lee told WPDE NewsChannel 15 Sports that Fischer had vertigo and was in the process of getting treatment.
On Saturday, Lee confirmed that Fischer has multiple forms of cancer. She said that she could not tell the full story until after Fischer had informed his players after a 21-13 loss to Carvers Bay.
Specifically, Lee said that Fischer has cancer of the bone and kidneys. She said that the coach is undergoing more blood tests and that he will continue at the school on an interim basis. Lee said, "The players realize that there are days that he will not be here."
Fischer told Lee that he will continue coaching until doctors order him to stop. Lee says that Fischer's doctors are about to undergo aggressive cancer fighting procedures which may limit his time with the team.
Fischer says he will see a kidney specialist on Monday concerning his multiple myeloma. He said he will also take a trip to Duke University for more analysis. He said, "It's treatable. The doctors like my demeanor. We're going to kick it's (the cancer) behind. I want this to not be about me but about the kids."
This is his second season at St. James. This year, the Sharks have a 1-4 record. Region 7-AAA play begins next Friday with St. James on the road at Georgetown. Fischer plans to be there.
