The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell reveals blood cancer battle
Roger O'Donnell (4th from left) was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma last year. Photo: AAP
The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell has revealed he was diagnosed with a “very rare and aggressive form” of blood cancer a year ago.
The 68-year-old keyboardist in the Friday I’m In Love group has shared the importance of getting checked out for any symptoms of the disease to mark Blood Cancer Awareness Month – after he “ignored” his own.
“In September last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma,” he began a lengthy post on X on Sunday.
“I had ignored the symptoms for a few months but finally went for a scan and after surgery the result of the biopsy was devastating.”
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month so it’s a good opportunity to have a dialogue about these diseases. In September last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. I had ignored the symptoms for a few months but finally went… pic.twitter.com/8Xftcd5nPL
— Roger O’Donnell (@RogerODonnellX) September 1, 2024
O’Donnell said his prognosis was “amazing” after he had the latest immunotherapy treatment and got second opinions.
“I’ve now completed 11 months of treatment under some of the finest specialists in the world, and with second opinions and advice from the teams that had developed the drugs I was being given. I had the benefit of the latest sci-fi immunotherapy and some drugs that were first used 100 years ago.”
He implored anyone with the “faintest thought” of symptoms to get tested, as he thanked everyone who has been there for him.
“Cancer CAN be beaten but if you are diagnosed early enough you stand a way better chance. So all I have to say is go GET TESTED – if you have the faintest thought you may have symptoms go and get checked out,” he said.
“Lastly, if you know someone who is ill or suffering, talk to them. Every single word helps, believe me I know. I would also like to thank my doctors – rockstars everyone of them – all the nurses and technicians, my friends, family and my partner Mimi. Sometimes it’s harder to be on the other side of this.”
O’Donnell pulled out of the band’s Latin America tour due to “health reasons” in November.
