Gwinnett County police detective fights cancer

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A Gwinnett County Police Department detective and former Army Ranger is fighting stage four cancer.

“There have been only three times in my life when I’ve been scared...the day my daughter was born, the day my son was born and the day the doctors told me I had cancer,” Victor Cortez said. “It’s not like a broken bone, it’s cancer...”

Cortez told FOX 5 back in July he went to the doctor with what he thought was pneumonia.

“They told me I had lung cancer that had originated in my stomach,” Cortez said.

Cortez is a father of two and is married to his high school sweetheart.

“This has been really hard on our family,” Jessica Cortez said. “It’s hard to see him in so much pain.”

Cortez has a big support system—friends, family and the Gwinnett County Police force backing him all the way.

“They have been amazing, so supportive, everything you could ask for,” Cortez said.

Friends of the Cortez’s started a 5K in his honor.

“The support from everyone we know has been humbling and has helped me during my dark days,” Cortez said.

Cortez said his future is unknown but he hopes others in similar situations will never give up.

“I don’t care what they say,” Cortez said. “Never give up.”

To help Cortez with medical costs visit gofundme.com/victor-cortezs-medical-fund.

For more information on Cortez’s 5k visit tonsoffun5k.com.