The Cure musician Roger O’Donnell
He has been battling lymphoma for eleven months
The Cure keyboardist Roger O’Donnell offers hope.
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The Cure keyboardist Roger O’Donnell makes his cancer diagnosis public. He says he has been diagnosed with “a very rare and aggressive form.”
On the occasion of Blood Cancer Month in Great Britain, British musician Roger O’Donnell (68) reveals his battle against cancer.
“In September last year, I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma,” the keyboardist of the cult band The Cure tells his followers. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, a system in the body that enables the fight against germs and diseases. The cancer develops when healthy cells change and grow uncontrollably.
“I had ignored the symptoms for several months, but finally I had myself checked out and after the operation the result of the biopsy was devastating,” he writes on Instagram next to a black and white photo of himself with short hair and his partner Mimi.
In treatment for eleven months – state-of-the-art therapies and well-known
From that point on, his battle with the disease began. “I have now completed 11 months of treatment with some of the best specialists in the world, with second opinions and advice from the teams that developed the drugs I received,” writes O’Donnell.
“I was treated to the latest science fiction immunotherapy and some drugs that were first used 100 years ago. The final phase of treatment was radiotherapy, which was also one of the first treatments for cancer.”
Roger O’Donnell on his current health
Anyone who thinks they can hear a slightly positive undertone in these lines will be right about the musician’s further comments: “I’m fine and the prognosis is amazing, the crazy axe murderer knocked on the door and we didn’t answer,” said Roger O’Donnell about his current state of health.
His personal conclusion leads to a clear appeal to his fellow human beings: “Cancer CAN be beaten, but if you are diagnosed early enough, you have a much better chance. So all I can say is: get tested, if you have even the slightest suspicion that you have symptoms, go and get yourself checked,” says O’Donnell.
He also adds a note to friends and relatives of those who are ill: “If you know someone who is ill or suffering, talk to them, every single word helps, believe me, I know.”
Last but not least, the musician, who has been playing the keys for the British wave rock band The Cure (since 1976) with interruptions since 1987, thanks his doctors – “rock stars, every one of them” -, all the nurses and technicians, his friends, family and his partner Mimi – “sometimes it’s harder to be on the other side…”, he now knows.
Band mourned Andy Anderson
Roger O’Donnell is not the first member of the British rock group to be diagnosed with cancer. In February 2019, the band’s former drummer Andy Anderson died at the age of 68, a week after announcing on Facebook that he had terminal cancer.