JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 1/31/19: Kathy Desclefs tells Action News Jax reporter Amber Krycka that her son Luke is now cancer free!
Original story from 12/2/19 below:
A local family is trying to keep its restaurant open while being treated for cancer.
Having one family member with cancer is horrible. Imagine having three people in the same family going through it.
One family member battling cancer is horrible.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) December 3, 2019
Imagine three people in the same family going through it.
They’re not only fighting cancer, they’re fighting to keep their family restaurant open.
Story at 10 on FOX30 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/je4u2bwVF3
“I have Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Luke Desclefs said.
“I have a brain tumor,” Benoit Desclefs said.
“I have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Kathy Desclefs said.
Kathy said she has been in and out of treatments since 2015 and her husband, Benoit, found out about his tumor in July.
“It’s hard -- physically, emotionally -- but the prayers help us continue on,” he said.
Their 17-year-old son, Luke, was diagnosed in October, she said.
“It was too much, especially when it came back down to Luke. It was just too much,” said Kathy.
While being treated for cancer, they’re fighting to keep their family restaurant open.
“I was concerned I would have to close my restaurant,” said Benoit.
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The family of six has operated The Magnificat Café for 16 years.
“All of the kids have been through here, working,” said Kathy.
The restaurant has more than just personal meaning for the family members. It’s their source of income. Now, the community is working to help them.
“That’s a big load off my shoulder,” said Benoit.
“We’re still in the middle of it. It’s not over,” said Kathy.
Luke said they’ll not only beat cancer, they’ll have a better life when this is over.
“What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. I think it’s true,”he said.
Right now, Luke is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Benoit, who is the chef just finished treatments and starts chemotherapy this month.
If you would like more information on how to help this family, click here.
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