The Legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Has Cancer
The champ is facing one of his toughest battles, yet.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players, but he announced this morning something that I’m sure is to make hardcore fans of the sport and genuinely concerned passersby send up a few prayers. Read more about the legendary baller’s recent woes after the jump.
“Having lost one of my closest friends to a different, highly aggressive form of leukemia, I knew how serious my diagnosis was,” said Abdul-Jabbar to People.com. “My own life expectancy became a question mark.” The 62-year-old who is also the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is hoping to put points up on the board in his fight against chronic myeloid leukemia.
He was diagnosed in December 2008 and is being treated with a medicine that targets abnormal protein that causes his CML. Hopefully, the treatment will be a success, allowing the five time Los Angeles Lakers champion center to live a full and active life.
It’s powerful to know that the reclusive star is opening up to the public now. “I’m telling my story to encourage fellow patients to take charge of their health,” he said. “Work closely with your doctor, monitor your disease and, above all, take your medicine.”
We here at DrJays.com send out our prayers and well wishes to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and his family and for those who need more information on CML, please read more here: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
prayers definitely go out…