Garcia, 38, made the announcement in a post on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!<\/a><\/p>\n South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia throws a pass against Kentucky in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., on Oct. 3, 2009. South Carolina defeated Kentucky 28-26. (Dale Zanine\/USA TODAY Sports)<\/p>\n “Wasn\u2019t overly excited to share this news but it is what it is. We have a great team of doctors and staff that\u2019s confident we can beat this! It\u2019s the only option,” he said in a post while sharing a GoFundMe link. “If there\u2019s one lesson to be learned, get checked and don\u2019t be afraid to visit the doctors\u2019 office when you don\u2019t feel 100%.<\/p>\n “We got this and I appreciate all yall!”<\/p>\n Garcia has raised more than $116,000.<\/p>\n The GoFundMe page said Garcia was taking the “most aggressive” path to treat the disease.<\/p>\n “Stephen is beginning chemotherapy today,” the page read. “His medical team is starting him on FOLFIRINOX, which confirms they are taking the most aggressive treatment path available to fight this.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/a><\/p>\n South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia throws a pass against the Florida State Seminoles during the third quarter of the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 31, 2010. Florida State defeated South Carolina 26-17. (Dale Zanine\/USA TODAY Sports)<\/p>\n “Following these initial rounds, he will be meeting with specialized liver and colon surgeons<\/a> to determine the next steps in his treatment plan. Stephen\u2019s entire focus is now dedicated to one thing: fighting this disease with everything he has.”<\/p>\n Rectal cancer deaths are rising at a significantly faster rate than colon cancer among younger Americans, a trend that researchers warn will continue to escalate without a shift in treatment, according to a study presented<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n Mortality rates for rectal cancer are growing two to three times faster than those for colon cancer among adults aged 20 to 44, according to a study to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2026 in Chicago. The data suggested that for older millennials, specifically those between the ages of 35 and 44, rectal cancer mortality is projected to escalate through 2035.<\/p>\n Garcia spent all four years of his collegiate career with South Carolina \u2013 from 2008 to 2011.<\/p>\n South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia warms up on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 10, 2011. (Dale Zanine\/USA TODAY Sports)<\/p>\n![\"South](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/stephen-garcia-south-carolina-fox-news-001.jpeg\")
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