NORTHPORT, NY — A Northport man is fighting cancer a second time after beating leukemia a few years ago.
Aidan Fischer, 23, is “without a doubt, one of the kindest, most generous, and certainly, toughest young men out there!” Michael Comerchero, a family friend of the Fischers, wrote on a GoFundMe page. “AND…he and his family need our help.”
More than $53K has been raised for Fischer as of Tuesday.
Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
People can donate to the GoFundMe if they would like to do so here.
“He has been through much, but the support from everyone has been a tremendous boost,” Chris Fischer, Aidan’s father, told Patch.
Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Fischer beat leukemia a few years ago “to no one’s surprise,” Comerchero said. He went through months and months of chemotherapy followed by a couple of years of other treatments.
“While I’m sure he had private moments of anger and frustration, you would never know it,” Comerchero said. “Outwardly, he was the same spunky, sarcastic, determined young man he’s always been. He was inspirational in his approach to something that no one, let alone someone so young, should ever have to deal with, and all who know him were in awe of his positivity during such a tumultuous time.”
Fischer was able to stop treatments back in January. A few weeks ago, Fischer and his family were told that the leukemia had returned, and that this version was a “very rare” type, according to Comerchero.
The family plans to try a different course of treatment this time that will include a bone marrow transplant as well as additional treatments that may only be found out of state.
“Aidan’s in for a fight yet again but as a true testament to his mental toughness, the first thing he said after this second diagnosis was, ‘I’ll be fine. Cancer is just mad it lost so badly in round one that I just gotta embarrass it one more time,'” Comerchero said. “If this doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about Aidan, I don’t know what does.”
Fischer has had to put his life’s plans — school, becoming a pilot and starting his adult life — on hold for a second time.
“And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that all of this comes at a great financial expense,” Comerchero said. “Aidan and his family will be together to fight this, and support each other through all of this, but they shouldn’t have to even think twice about how to afford it. Health should be their only priority.”
Fischer comes from the “most wonderfully supportive family,” said Comerchero. He’s gotten to know Fischer’s parents, Jenine and Chris, as well as his younger brother, Donovan, over the years.
“We’ve shared so many family milestones together…birthdays, New Year’s Eve parties, special occasions…you name it!” Comerchero said. “It’s amazing to think that the 5-year-old I met all those years ago would become so much more than a student, and that I’d be here now, proud to call him and his entire family, my dear friends.”
Fischer plays drums in Razor’s Edge, a Northport-based rock band. His bandmate, Andrew Granger, a guitarist, said Aidan has been his friend since elementary school.
“Aidan has been a great friend and asset to our band,” Granger said. “He’s a hardworking drummer and seeing him fight cancer once again proves how resilient he is. I wish him continued strength to beat cancer again, and I look forward to us playing again real soon.”
A fundraiser is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 30 at Miller’s Ale House in Commack.
There will be raffles and auctions, and all the proceeds will go straight to Fischer. Miller’s is also donating 20 percent of all their food and drink sales that day to Fischer, according to Comerchero.
Razor’s Edge will be performing live music at the fundraiser. Raffle prizes were provided by the New York Yankees, Long Island Ducks, Adventureland, Oheka Castle, Northport Hotel, and several other local businesses.
Comerchero said he got to know the Fischers when Aidan was 5 years old — Aidan became a student of Comerchero’s in the martial arts.
“From an early age he earned the nickname ‘The King’ because of his mental and physical toughness,” Comerchero said. “Even early on, he was a stellar athlete, feared nothing, and never shied away from a challenge.”
Fischer wore a tall, spiked blue mohawk at a young age — the only kid that Comerchero has ever seen sport that hairstyle.
“That spunk matched his physical prowess and somewhat daredevil mentality,” he said. “And when he walked in the building we all knew…the king was here!”
Fischer was always given “110 percent” to everything, even when he did not need to, Comerchero said.
“He’d go out of his way to help the younger and newer students find their way and was always a role model to everyone who looked up to him,” Comerchero said. “As he got older, he continued his success not only in the martial arts, but in school, and every other facet of his life. In recent years he was accepted into college and has been studying and working hard to become a pilot, and there is no doubt in my mind he’ll succeed at that, too!”
Comerchero said he made the GoFundMe with medical and out-of-state travel expenses in mind.
“This family has inspired and taken care of so many others over the years and now it’s time to take care of them,” Comerchero said. “If you are able to help this incredible family in any way, please do what you can. It will go a long way in helping them to move past this once and for all! Thank you all…and we got your back Aidan!”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox.Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 12:08 pm ET|Click Here: Re-Kanken Backpack