JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local family of three, fighting three different kinds of cancer, is finally getting some good news.
The Desclefs family won’t have to close the doors to their restaurant in Downtown Jacksonville, which has been open for 16 years, thanks to kind-hearted people from all over the world.
The family told News4Jax the local, national and international response to help them has been life-changing.
Customer after customer came to the Magnificat Cafe on Monday for all over.
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A guest even came all the way from Canada to help out.
“We heard about the story with the family and we came to show our love and support for them,” Nicholas Mancini, visiting from Toronto, Canada, said.
Their story is touching hearts and making headlines all around the world.
“We are all so amazed,” Kathy Desclefs said.
(Click here to donate to The Desclefs Family Cancer Fund)
Desclefs can’t believe what happened after News4Jax shared the news about her family’s cancer crisis.
In less than a week, the family’s story has gone viral. Their online fundraiser is up to more than $50,000. Locally, Business neighbors, Eddie and Chuck Farah announced they will match up to $10,000 in sales at the restaurant Dec. 9-13.
The Desclefs were planning on closing their doors in January, because health-wise they just can’t keep the kitchen running, but all of the donations have allowed them to hire the help they need to keep the Magnificat Cafe open - for now.
The steady stream of support has also been a blessing for Kathy, who is now exploring alternative treatment options.
She, her husband Benoit and their 17-year-old son Luke are all fighting three different kinds of cancer at the same time.
They simply asked for prayers and patronage… and they got it.
“We were swamped. We had this place was full. We had a line going out the door.”
For days people have been packing their French-American restaurant in Downtown Jacksonville.
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They’ve made headlines in People magazine and in the UK. Donations have been coming in from Italy, Alaska, Oregon, and locally too.
The Desclefs told News4Jax they have been so overwhelmed in a good way by all of the support that they are calling this the miracle at 231 North Laura Street.
A Miracle at The Magnificat Cafe… Kathy says it’s just in time for Christmas.
“Thank you. Thank you. I cannot express enough thanks for all the love and support.”
Other local restaurants are also pitching in to help the family. If you would like to donate, click here.