A Harlingen teen is fighting leukemia, and his community is stepping up to help.

Eli Rivera spent four years playing soccer and football at Harlingen South High School. He graduated in May and was set to start classes at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, but his diagnosis put those plans on hold.

His former coaches say he stood out on and off the field. Harlingen South High School Head Boys Soccer Coach Julian Robles described Rivera as a key part of last year's playoff run.

"He’s a great young man with great character, hardworking, always positive, always at practice. Never misses practice. He was one of our centerpiece seniors for last year's playoff run," Robles said.

This summer, Robles and Harlingen South High School Head Football Coach Israel Gonzalez found out about Rivera's diagnosis.

"To hear that one of your athletes is diagnosed with something as serious as leukemia, it is obviously shocking. But right away we rely on our faith, and we know Eli was brought up in that manner and that he's going to be able to fight this leukemia off," Gonzalez said.

Both the soccer and football programs held fundraisers for Rivera and raised about $3,000 to help him and his family. His former employer, Stefano's Brooklyn Pizza, held a fundraiser on Monday where all proceeds of a large cheese pizza or personal pepperoni pizza went to Rivera’s family.

"I am glad that I can help, and I appreciate everybody participating too. It's not just me helping; every customer who purchased that pizza is participating in that donation," Stefano's Brooklyn Pizza Manager Allen Eddik said.

UTRGV cancer specialist Everardo Cobos says the type of leukemia Rivera is fighting is common in young people.

"It’s very common in children, young adolescents, and young adults; in fact, it's the most common malignancy in young children. Other types of leukemia are in older adults," Cobos said.

Cobos also explained what causes the fatigue that comes with the disease.

"The fatigue is because the leukemia suppresses the body's ability to produce red blood cells, so the individual will be anemic and tired, and those white cells do not function properly," Cobos said.

Robles had a message for Rivera as he takes on this new fight.

"You have our utmost respect and support. We are all rooting for you, and praying for you, and we hope that anything we can do, reach out to us and we will help as much as we can," Robles said.

Harlingen South plans to hold more fundraisers for Rivera during soccer season.

A GoFundMe was also set up to help Rivera and his family pay for medical expenses. Click here to donate.

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