24-04-2025
One local man fighting his toughest fight to beat Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma kidney cancer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- The average age for someone diagnosed with Kidney Cancer in the U.S. is 65. But one local man's decades-long battle with cancer began before he was even 10 years old.
Doctors tell me Casey Rivers' story is unique.
'You would not expect that type of kidney cancer in a child. There are other kidney cancers that you might see more commonly in a child, but yeah, most commonly in adults.' Doctors Hospital Radiation Oncologist Dr. John Stewart said.
'I was about nine– it was the summer of 2002, I think. I was having a lot of constipation, just wasn't feeling well, and I think me and my mom probably went to the ER for like months before we actually got an answer…' Casey Rivers said.
An answer that would change Rivers' life.
'We actually got an answer from a pediatric doctor, and he was like, he saw a mass on my liver, and it was dead in the center…' Rivers said.
Since his diagnosis with Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma, Rivers has had a liver transplant and a kidney removal. But his biggest challenges aren't physical, they're financial.
'If I don't have a job that offers it, I can't go apply for it because as soon as I fill out, I had cancer, or currently have it, they deny it…'
Rivers says he's at a point where it costs to live.
'If I don't go to work, I don't make it– that's just point blank period. I have to get up and go to work because there's no way I can apply for anything, who's gonna accept me.'
Dr. Stewart says some cases can be prevented with early detection.
'Stick to the US preventative Task Force Guideline for screening for common cancer such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer. Rare cancers, unfortunately don't have great screening tests, so family history is very important for a lot of rare cancer…'
'I know people get so excited when we ring that bell– that's the common thing– and I don't think the patients are that excited we know the journey is really about to start,' Rivers said.
If you are interested in donating and helping Rivers and his family, a GoFundMe can be found here.
Saturday, April 2nd, A motorcycle 'Ride for Rivers' will take place, followed by a fundraising event in Denmark, South Carolina.
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