Here’s how you can help Plymouth student who lost lower leg to cancer
Plymouth senior Jorgito Shqau’s lower left leg was amputated in January after a cancerous tumor was found on his ankle. Friends of the Shqau family have established two fundraisers to help alleviate mounting medical expenses. PHOTO COURTESY VASILNEK IMAGES
For the past four seasons, Jorgito Shqau was a full-throttle, never-take-a-play-off energizer for Plymouth High School’s football program.
Whether clearing space as a pulling guard for record-breaking running back Jaxon McCaig, or providing brick-wall defense as a hard-hitting linebacker, Shqau was a game-changer.
Jorgito was also a widely-respected student and leader off the field.
Last fall, the popular senior, who also excelled in track and field, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his left ankle. He was a standout throughout his senior football season despite playing with great pain.
In January, Shqau underwent a transtibial amputation (his left leg was amputated from the shin down) as part of the treatment for the cancerous tumor.
Community support
The love Jorgito and his family developed from the Canton and Plymouth communities over the past several years has been reflected by the support they’ve received since the diagnosis and subsequent surgery.
Friends of the Shqau family, who are longtime residents of Canton, have organized two fund-raisers to help them with the unexpected medical expenses that continue to grow — and the future costs of prosthetics and health-care costs.
A GoFundMe page for Jorgito has been established in part by the Plymouth Wildcats Football Booster Club, with a fundraising goal of $50,000, ($11,540 had been raised as of Sunday afternoon).
The GoFundMe account explained that Jorgito’s father recently opened his own auto repair shop.
The page also explained that throughout this unthinkable life experience, Jorgito has maintained “an optimistic attitude”.
Uplifting spirit
Post-surgery photos of Jorgito, leaning on crutches, show him with an irrepressible smile — a sign that he is ready to take on the adversity that awaits.
A second fundraiser — sponsored by Plymouth football with support from Salem football — will be held Friday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Super Bowl Lanes in Canton.
For $125 per lane, you will receive two hours of bowling, pizza and a pitcher of pop. There will also be 50/50 raffles and basket raffles — the proceeds from which will go directly to help with Jorgito’s medical expenses.
For more information on the bowling fundraiser, send an email to katycleveland1@gmail.com.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
