RANDLEMAN, N.C. — The head coach of the Randleman High School football team has moved his family to Memphis to find the best care for his little girl.
If you remember, in September, we learned that two-year-old Ophie was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer.
WFMY News 2's Amber Lake checked back in with the head coach and has more on the community support surrounding this family.
A little over a month in Memphis and the fight continues.
Shane Timmons said his daughter, Ophie, has had a craniotomy, and shunt, and also has a port right above her chest.
After multiple surgeries, therapies, and scans, Ophie is ready for the next step. Radiation.
"Proton Radiation Therapy for the tumor bed where the tumor was. It helps ensure that it doesn’t come back,” Timmons explained.
The Timmons family said they’ve gotten closer during it all, especially when they have a fighter like Ophie.
"She’s a trooper. She’s tougher than everybody," Timmons said.
While it could be easy to get down during a time like this, the Timmons family has their faith to keep them going.
"You got one job and that’s to love people. At the end of the day, you aren't going to take any of the money with you. You aren't going to take any of the stuff with you, so what do you leave? You're left with how big your dent was that you made in the world," Timmons said.
A dent the Timmons family has made. So big that Randolph County and surrounding areas have stepped up to support them.
Trinity High School Principal, Brian Toth explained what THS did to help.
"Our athletic booster organization, as well as our student council, got together and did a little bit of brainstorming and decided they wanted to raise money for the family during this time,” Toth said.
During the THS and Randleman football game last week, money was raised for the Timmons family.
Toth explained, "while the two teams are competing on the field, the situation in the stands was completely different on both sides of the field. The stands were working together to fight for Ophie in terms of raising money for her, her situation, and her cause. So it was really impressive to see a strong demonstration of community,” Toth said.
Over $5,000 was raised to support Ophie.
Randleman Assistant Coach, and Timmons' best friend, Brain Hughes has taken over the football program in his absence with an undefeated record so far.
Other schools have pitched in to help the family like Providence Grove and Wheatmore High School.
Back where Timmons is from, in Denton, the Classic Family Restaurant is hosting a benefit dinner for Ophie on Nov. 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds go to benefit the family.