REEDLEY, Calif (FOX26) — Photographers donated their time Sunday to help raise money for a Reedley teenager fighting for his life.

[RELATED] Reedley High football player raising money for cancer treatment in Mexico

For the last year and a half, Malachi Rios has been battling stage 4 testicular cancer.

He would come into math class a lot just saying out his back hurt, and that’s really where it all started,” said Malachi’s friend Nicholas Ochoa. “He thought it was just pain from football and it turned out to be cancer.”

Despite going through high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell therapy, and surgery to remove his lymph nodes, Malachis’s cancer has returned once again, and this time, it is chemo-resistant.

“As far as we know, there is no treatment in the United States,” said Photographer Frankie Leal. “There’s a doctor in Mexico that could help treat him, so what we’re doing is trying to raise funds for him.”

Sunday, the Reedley Community came out to support Malachi as he tackles this battle

“This story really, really, really touched me because I know what it’s like to lose a child,” said Elizabeth Tienda. “I was halfway through my pregnancy, and I have my daughter’s ashes in here, and so from a mom, my daughter is supposed to be 2.5 years old right now. I don’t want any parent to go through anything like that.”

Seven professional photographers donated their time to help raise money for the rios family.

[RELATED]Reedley High football player back on the field after tackling cancer

They plan to send Malachi to Cancun, Mexico, to get special treatment.

“We know that the fees, the medical bills could be really, really expensive so were doing our part and donating our time raising money through photography,” said Frankie Leal.

“As a parent… I don’t know what they’re going through, but I can just imagine,” said Celeste Leal. “It hits right here in my heart.”

His friend said Malachi has remained positive.

“Just seeing him fight through this and being positive is really good to see, as well as how happy he keeps himself and how positive he is about it,” said Ochoa.

Now the entire community of reedley is cheering on Malachi…

“I want him to know that Reedley has got his back,” said Leal.

Even off the field.

[RELATED]Reedley High School Junior diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, football team supports battle

Families paid $65 for a photo shoot, which normally costs hundreds.

Malachi’s family is hoping he can start his treatment at the end of April.