Someone very close to me is currently undergoing the fight of his life after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Just recently, on his 18th birthday, Joey Keyser underwent brain surgery to have a tumor removed. Twelve grueling hours later, Joey pulled through and defied the worst of odds.
I wish I could say that Joey was alone in this fight. Even more so I wish I could tell you that he can go back to living the kind of life we were fortunate to have at his age.
Sadly I cannot do either of those things.
Chances are you have known someone that has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and it's up to all of us to do our part to help eradicate a disease that affects so many worldwide.
If you'd like to help Joey in his fight against cancer, please visit The Joey Keyser Foundation for information on how to do so.
But in his honor, today we'll be honoring the Top Ten Comebacks From Cancer by professional athletes:
10. DAVE DRAVECKY - MLB PITCHER
If you've heard of Dave Dravecky, it's probably been a long time since he's entered your conscience. Making his mark as a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1987 and promptly helped them reach the playoffs. The following season, Dravecky was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in his pitching arm. After having it removed, along with half of his deltoid muscle, he returned in August of 1999 and earned a win in his first start. But in the sixth inning of his second appearance, Dravecky's humerous bone snapped and ended his career. The Giants won the World Series that season and even though Dravecky wasn't on the mound, I can guarantee his comeback from cancer was a big reason why.
If you've heard of Dave Dravecky, it's probably been a long time since he's entered your conscience. Making his mark as a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1987 and promptly helped them reach the playoffs. The following season, Dravecky was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in his pitching arm. After having it removed, along with half of his deltoid muscle, he returned in August of 1999 and earned a win in his first start. But in the sixth inning of his second appearance, Dravecky's humerous bone snapped and ended his career. The Giants won the World Series that season and even though Dravecky wasn't on the mound, I can guarantee his comeback from cancer was a big reason why.9. DOUG DAVIS - MLB PITCHER
On March 28 of this year, Davis, a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. On April 10 he underwent surgery to have the thyroid removed and after weeks of therapy, doctors announced on May 9 he was cancer free.
Davis returned to the mound against the Atlanta Braves on May 23, going seven innings while striking out five and gave up a single run with his father in attendance.
Davis' story is rare in that he was able to defeat cancer so quickly, but it doesn't diminish the fight he went through to return to the game he loves.
On March 28 of this year, Davis, a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. On April 10 he underwent surgery to have the thyroid removed and after weeks of therapy, doctors announced on May 9 he was cancer free.Davis returned to the mound against the Atlanta Braves on May 23, going seven innings while striking out five and gave up a single run with his father in attendance.
Davis' story is rare in that he was able to defeat cancer so quickly, but it doesn't diminish the fight he went through to return to the game he loves.
8. COBY KARL - NBA
While playing at Boise State University in 2007, Coby Karl was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma, a form of treatable cancer. Just as Davis did, Karl had his thyroid removed and underwent chemotherapy in an attempt to kill the remaining cancer cells in his body.
Karl underwent a second surgery 13 months later and made a full recovery. He went undrafted and ended up playing the NBADL until eventually earning a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers playoff roster this year.
As fate would have it, the Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets, who were coached by his father, George Karl. They became the first father and son to ever oppose each other in the NBA Playoffs.
While playing at Boise State University in 2007, Coby Karl was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma, a form of treatable cancer. Just as Davis did, Karl had his thyroid removed and underwent chemotherapy in an attempt to kill the remaining cancer cells in his body.Karl underwent a second surgery 13 months later and made a full recovery. He went undrafted and ended up playing the NBADL until eventually earning a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers playoff roster this year.
As fate would have it, the Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets, who were coached by his father, George Karl. They became the first father and son to ever oppose each other in the NBA Playoffs.
7. JOE TORRE - MLB MANAGER
Torre was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 as he was piloting the New York Yankees to a World Series victory. After having it removed, Torre made a full comeback to once again lead the Yankees to another World Series crown in 2000.
Since then, Torre has made it his personal mission to educate men worldwide about the dangers of prostate cancer. He has spoken before Congress about the issue and remains a strong presence in the effort to fight cancer.
5. CHRIS LOFTON - NCAA BASKETBALL PLAYER
Shortly after Lofton and his Tennessee Volunteers lost to Ohio State in the Sweet 16 of the 2006-07 NCAA Tournament, doctors discovered he had testicular answer after he failed a drug test earlier in the tournament. Shortly thereafter, Lofton would have to endure surgery, chemotherapy and the kind of emotional distress few ever experience. He kept it a secret from everyone on his team except for his coach, Bruce Pearl, never wanting it to become a distraction.
Torre was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 as he was piloting the New York Yankees to a World Series victory. After having it removed, Torre made a full comeback to once again lead the Yankees to another World Series crown in 2000.Since then, Torre has made it his personal mission to educate men worldwide about the dangers of prostate cancer. He has spoken before Congress about the issue and remains a strong presence in the effort to fight cancer.
6. JOSH BIDWELL - NFL PUNTER
Bidwell missed his entire rookie season in 1999 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and was told by team doctors he would never play again. After going through major surgery that included the removal of over 45 lymph nodes, Bidwell had to then endure over three months of chemotherapy.
A year later and Bidwell found a home punting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and remains with the team today.
Bidwell missed his entire rookie season in 1999 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and was told by team doctors he would never play again. After going through major surgery that included the removal of over 45 lymph nodes, Bidwell had to then endure over three months of chemotherapy.A year later and Bidwell found a home punting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and remains with the team today.
5. CHRIS LOFTON - NCAA BASKETBALL PLAYER
Shortly after Lofton and his Tennessee Volunteers lost to Ohio State in the Sweet 16 of the 2006-07 NCAA Tournament, doctors discovered he had testicular answer after he failed a drug test earlier in the tournament. Shortly thereafter, Lofton would have to endure surgery, chemotherapy and the kind of emotional distress few ever experience. He kept it a secret from everyone on his team except for his coach, Bruce Pearl, never wanting it to become a distraction.In an interview with ESPN, Pearl summed up what Lofton's fight and determination meant to the school:
"But what I also can tell you is this: That jersey, No. 5, is going to be hanging in the rafters in Thompson-Boling Arena, joining Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King and Dale Ellis or Allan Houston to follow. No. 5 is going to be there. Chris Lofton leaves his mark in such a way as a Volunteer to have overcome this, to have not hidden and to have not allowed it to beat him."
4. MARIO LEMIEUX - NHL
One of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of skates, Lemeiux was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January, 1993. At the time, Lemeiux was on pace to challenge Wayne Gretzky's all time record for single goals in a season (92) until he made the shocking announcement about his disease.
He was forced to go through two months of radiation treatments in an effort to rid his body of the cancer. The day of his last treatment, Lemeiux didn't hesitate to insert himself back into the Penguins starting lineup and even managed to score a goal in his very first game back.
One of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of skates, Lemeiux was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January, 1993. At the time, Lemeiux was on pace to challenge Wayne Gretzky's all time record for single goals in a season (92) until he made the shocking announcement about his disease.He was forced to go through two months of radiation treatments in an effort to rid his body of the cancer. The day of his last treatment, Lemeiux didn't hesitate to insert himself back into the Penguins starting lineup and even managed to score a goal in his very first game back.
3. EDNA CAMPBELL - WNBA
In 2002, Edna Campbell became the first player in the WNBA to be diagnosed with breast cancer, a distinction I'm sure she would have much rather done without. She missed the majority of the 2002 season while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Campbell fought her way back and actually made an appearance in the last game of the Sacramento Monarchs season. Soon after, she dedicated her life to becoming one of the nation's most visible advocates for breast cancer awareness.
2. JON LESTER - MLB PITCHER
In 2006, Jon Lester was scratched from a start due to a sore back and was later placed on the disabled list as doctors tried to diagnose the issue. Eventually they determined he had anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer.
Like everyone else on this list, Lester had to endure a multitude of treatments including radiation and chemotherapy until doctors saw no signs of the disease in December of that year.
In 2007, Lester returned to the Boston Red Sox rotation and pitched the deciding game in the World Series, giving the city of Boston another title.
His greatest personal achievement would come this year, when on May 19 he threw a no-hitter - the 18th in Red Sox history - against the Kansas City Royals.
In 2002, Edna Campbell became the first player in the WNBA to be diagnosed with breast cancer, a distinction I'm sure she would have much rather done without. She missed the majority of the 2002 season while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.Campbell fought her way back and actually made an appearance in the last game of the Sacramento Monarchs season. Soon after, she dedicated her life to becoming one of the nation's most visible advocates for breast cancer awareness.
2. JON LESTER - MLB PITCHER
In 2006, Jon Lester was scratched from a start due to a sore back and was later placed on the disabled list as doctors tried to diagnose the issue. Eventually they determined he had anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer.Like everyone else on this list, Lester had to endure a multitude of treatments including radiation and chemotherapy until doctors saw no signs of the disease in December of that year.
In 2007, Lester returned to the Boston Red Sox rotation and pitched the deciding game in the World Series, giving the city of Boston another title.
His greatest personal achievement would come this year, when on May 19 he threw a no-hitter - the 18th in Red Sox history - against the Kansas City Royals.
1. LANCE ARMSTRONG - CYCLIST
There is no other athlete that is as identifiable with overcoming cancer than Lance Armstrong. His story is well documented and literally comes off as a perfect story destined to become a movie someday.
In 1996, doctors discovered Lance had testicular cancer and that it had spread to his lungs and his brain. He literally had about a fifty-fifty chance at surviving and with the advice of doctors, pursued an aggressive chemotherapy treatment that miraculously enabled him to beat his cancer and return to racing.
Lance went on to win SEVEN consecutive Tour de France titles, a feat that no man, healthy or not, had ever accomplished.
He has since established the Lance Armstrong Foundation and with the help of Nike, created the yellow Livestrong wristband in an effort to raise money. With 60 million of them sold worldwide, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is now at the forefront of leading the charge against cancer.
There is no other athlete that is as identifiable with overcoming cancer than Lance Armstrong. His story is well documented and literally comes off as a perfect story destined to become a movie someday.In 1996, doctors discovered Lance had testicular cancer and that it had spread to his lungs and his brain. He literally had about a fifty-fifty chance at surviving and with the advice of doctors, pursued an aggressive chemotherapy treatment that miraculously enabled him to beat his cancer and return to racing.
Lance went on to win SEVEN consecutive Tour de France titles, a feat that no man, healthy or not, had ever accomplished.
He has since established the Lance Armstrong Foundation and with the help of Nike, created the yellow Livestrong wristband in an effort to raise money. With 60 million of them sold worldwide, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is now at the forefront of leading the charge against cancer.
We salute anyone that has been able to defeat cancer and offer our deepest condolences to those who have not. This list was not meant to make any one person's fight seem more important than any other, rather it was meant to simply inspire. Thanks for stopping by.
3 comments:
Nice list, very original. No complaints
Now the "will the bears make the playoffs!?" poll question just seems irrelevant.
Good shit O man. Very moving and I was even unaware of a few on the list. Truly a great feat to beat the beast, aka cancer. My prayers are with your boy Joey and have been for a while. Stay strong Joey!
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