Friends of a Youngsville man battling cancer gathered Saturday to rally in support of him and his family.
Peyton Murphy was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma in March 2017, and traveled to St. Jude for treatment. In 2020, the cancer returned, but this time metastasized in his lungs. Murphy continues to need regular visits to St. Jude.
His friends say they don't want to be on the sidelines watching the family's hardships, so they decided to help out in the most South Louisiana way - by boiling crawfish.
A crawfish boil fundraiser was held at 501 Sports Bar in Youngsville to help the Murphy family offset expenses. The family has three children, and friends say with regular St. Jude visits, household needs, and other expenses, sometimes medical costs can be hard to meet. The goal was to sell 500 tickets, with crawfish costing $20 for three pounds.
Peyton said he and his family knew there was some kind of surprise, but were shocked at what the surprise turned out to be.
"I've gotten lots of support, but to see it, to see everyone out here. It gives you that extra boost of confidence. It's crazy to know that people who don't really know you, they still care. People around here still care to give."
Professional MMA fighter and Lafayette resident Dustin Poirier was at the event to show his support to Peyton and his family. Poirier said when he heard Peyton's story, he knew he wanted to help.
"He's a real fighter. The family's been in the grind. Their day-to-day is so focused on Peyton, which it should be, so focused on their livelihood and keeping their head above water...Just want to give them a smile," he said.
"He's in my corner and I'm in his," he said of Peyton.
Poirier gifted the Murphy family with a trip to Las Vegas to a sold out fight, Peyton's first show and something he said he's very excited about.
"You never know when it can all go away," Peyton said. "I've been fighting for four years. It could go away tomorrow - you never know. Just keeping fighting. Have that faith and just support your community and stay strong."
Read more of Peyton's story here.
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