Stephen Garcia Undergoes Successful Cancer Surgery, Achieves “No Evidence of Disease” Status
Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia underwent surgery for his stage 4 colorectal cancer on September 22, with his wife Masha providing updates throughout the day on social media.
The Surgery and Initial Updates
Masha’s first message brought celebratory news: “Stephen is out of surgery. In the ICU. Surgeon called and said all the cancer is out!!!! Thank you for all the prayers!!!” She quickly clarified the wording, noting that while the visible cancer had been removed, Garcia isn’t officially considered cancer-free: “Stephen has stage 4 cancer and is not officially cancer free. It’s going to be a long journey with surveillance. Thank you again for your love and prayers.”
Later that evening, a more detailed and encouraging update followed: “The surgical team confirmed that they achieved a complete resection, successfully removing the cancer and leaving him with No Evidence of Disease.” Garcia was subsequently moved from the ICU into a post-operative recovery room.
Garcia’s Pre-Surgery Confidence
Ahead of the operation, Garcia shared a video expressing complete trust in his medical team: “Gonna cut this damn stuff out and we’re back to operating as normal. We’re going to get through this, I have no doubt in my mind.”
The Path to Diagnosis
Garcia, now 38, first began experiencing abdominal pain in July but didn’t seek medical attention for roughly six or seven months. An ultrasound eventually revealed spots on his liver, leading to an MRI that identified two lesions on the right lobe. A subsequent colonoscopy and biopsy confirmed the cancer diagnosis in April. He began chemotherapy on May 6, completing six rounds of chemo and radiation to shrink the tumors and prevent further spread before undergoing surgery.
A Foundation Born From His Fight
Garcia and his family launched Quarterback Your Health, a foundation dedicated to supporting other cancer patients and expanding access to early screening. According to the organization’s website: “Quarterback Your Health funds colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and at-risk individuals across Tampa Bay — including the many who fall outside standard screening guidelines, and the many more who delay it, avoid it, or never get the chance. Removing that barrier is how we save lives.” The foundation held a fundraiser in Tampa on August 21, with Garcia’s former head coach Steve Spurrier in attendance.
Garcia’s South Carolina Legacy
Garcia played for South Carolina from 2007-2011 under Spurrier, leading the Gamecocks to their only SEC Championship game appearance in program history, a loss to Auburn in 2010. He’s a native of Lutz, Florida, where he still resides with Masha and their three children — including his oldest, Memphys, who is committed to play quarterback at New Mexico Military Institute.
Looking Ahead
While Saturday’s surgery marks a major milestone in Garcia’s fight, his journey isn’t over — ongoing surveillance will be necessary to monitor for any recurrence. Still, achieving “No Evidence of Disease” status represents a significant and hopeful step forward in what has been a difficult year-long battle for the former Gamecock star.
About The Author
