Cancer strikes CSHM basketball star Joey Covarrubias

The way Joey Covarrubias sees it, he doesn’t have any choice but to fight.
The Cantwell-Sacred Heart senior basketball star and his family received devastating news last week when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. Just 19 years old, and two days removed from signing a letter of intent to play basketball at Cal State Monterey Bay, Covarrubias received the news no teenager should ever have to hear.
But in a fashion typical of the young man, he’s prepared to fight. Covarrubias’ spirit and drive made him the undisputed leader of a Cantwell team that was one victory from reaching the CIF State Division 4 final, and he was selected the Whittier Daily News All-Area Player of the Year in April.
“He’s been fantastic about this,” his father Joe explained Wednesday, speaking from UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, where Joey is being treated. “He immediately said ‘We’re gonna beat this.’ … He’s been the strongest of everyone around here, I’ll tell you that.”
Ewing’s Sarcoma is typically found in adolescents between 10-20, and is discovered in only about 250 Americans each year. If found early enough, before it has a chance to spread throughout the body, it can be treated successfully in 50-75 percent of the time, according to webmd.com.
Covarrubias went to his doctor last week complaining of shoulder and chest pain, and a CAT scan revealed fluid in his lungs. Surgery was initially scheduled, but a follow-up x-ray revealed a mass, which caused his doctors to cancel the surgery and perform a biopsy. The results revealed a malignant tumor.
He’s since undergone a PET scan and bone marrow test, and is scheduled to begin aggressive chemotherapy in the next few days.
“Joey’s a fighter, obviously,” said Cantwell basketball coach George Zedan. “He knows it’s an uphill, tough situation, but it’s just another challenge for him to overcome.”
In the days since his diagnosis, a fund-raising effort has been set up at www.gofundme.com/savingjoey. Nearly $37,000 have been raised so far, but more will be needed. NBA player Earl Watson, for whom Joey played last summer in AAU ball, donated $13,000. Nearly 250 people had donated as of Wednesday night, including high school competitors against whom he’s played, and even the most modest amount is welcome.
“Everybody loves the kid,” said Zedan, “… and they’re asking ‘What can we do?’”

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