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BC Linebacker Herzlich Fighting Cancer
Photo - LB Mark Herzlich - Boston College
Boston College senior linebacker Mark Herzlich announced this week he has been diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma, a cancer most often found in bone or soft tissue. Herzlich was the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year last season and was preparing for his final campaign in the ACC. He had just finished his classes for the spring semester and returned home to Pennsylvania with pain in his left knee and throughout his leg. He went to see his orthopedic doctor, who requested an MRI because of the swelling in thigh. After the results, Herzlich was sent to an oncologist in Philadelphia who informed him he has cancer. Herzlich had turned down the NFL Draft 2009 as a junior to return for his senior season this fall. Last season, Herzlich led the Eagles with 110 tackles, 6 interceptions, 8 PBU, 2 FF and 2 FR. He was ranked a probable Top 10 selection in the NFL Draft 2010 entering his final season.
"It can be pretty life threatening," he said, admitting he was scared but sounding calm as usual. "My doctor told me the cure rate is pretty high, but then again for some people, they take the chemo well, get rid of most of the tumor and can remove the rest of it with surgery. Some people don't take the chemo well, and then you have to rely just on surgery, which obviously brings down the chances. Some people react differently. It's basically waiting to see how the chemo goes, how the treatment goes, and how my body reacts to everything."
"I've learned there are some things you can't control, and those are types of things I don't like to worry myself with because I can't control them. All I can control now is how I am mentally through the process. I hopefully can be a positive story in the end of this for people who go through this. It's really up to God and medicine how everything works out."
He intends to follow treatment this summer and see how his recovery progresses before making a decision about school and football in the fall or next spring.