Decatur student faces fight against cancer

Ray Haisman
Ray Haisman

DECATUR -- It is a worst nightmare come true for parents to have a doctor tell them their child has cancer. They know a long and difficult fight lies ahead for their loved one. But this is the scenario facing one of Decatur's families.

Ray Haisman, a 17 year-old senior at Decatur High School, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, on Sept. 17. The disease is confined to Haisman's knee.

Haisman is a wide receiver and defensive back for the 2015 Decatur Bulldog football team. He was also a member of the 2013-14 district and 2014-15 regular season championship basketball team. He participated on the Bulldog track team, as well.

Haisman has now undergone surgery on his knee and faces 10 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy. The treatments began Friday. After the first round of treatments, he will undergo another knee surgery and then another 10 weeks of chemo treatments.

The days and weeks ahead will be difficult for Haisman and his family. And the medical expenses and costs will mount.

Students and faculty at Decatur High School began selling yellow ribbons to raise money to help the Haisman family with some of the medical expenses they can expect to incur over the next year. Each ribbon cost $1 and can be purchased at the school or any Decatur sporting event. The ribbon sales began Sept. 25 during the Decatur-Hackett football game at Bulldog Stadium.

The Hickson and Sons Welding company donated a Fire Pit Barbecue grill to be raffled off at an upcoming Decatur High School event (yet to be announced) to help the family.

To find out how to purchase a yellow ribbon or obtain more information on the Ray Haisman fund, contact Decatur High School at 752-3983.

General News on 09/30/2015