Fundraiser Launched For San Diego Olympian Battling Cancer

SAN DIEGO, CA -- A fundraiser was underway Tuesday for a beloved San Diego coach who also played in the Olympics. Zhang Ouying, also known as Coach O by her students, was diagnosed with lung cancer, according to a GoFundMe page set up for her.

The soccer play who also played in the World Cup has coached thousands of children and adults throughout the San Diego region, according to the webpage.

"Her disease is very serious, but she is determined to fight it," the GoFundMe said. "Since coming to the United States in 2006, she has been a devoted coach and mentor in assisting kids and young adults at Poway High School, Mesa College, San Diego Futbol Academy and beginning in 2010 at San Diego Soccer Club."

Organizers of the fundraiser hope to raise $100,000 in donations to help Ouying and her family of four as they pay for medical bills.

"The medical bills are mounting already and we all know that fighting this disease can be overwhelming," the page said. "Husband Edde Iott and their two children Flynn and Elynn are bearing up well, but easing of the financial pain will go a long way in letting them focus solely on aiding mom in her battle."

For more information, go to GoFundMe.com.

--Photo via GoFundMe/GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner