Inspiring Words from 12 Celebrities Who Bravely Fought Against Cancer.
1. Hugh Jackman: Known for his long-running role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series. He had already gone through six operations to remove traces of skin cancer from his body. Jackman has been quite vocal about his battle with Basal Cell Carcinoma since doctors spotted his first abnormal mole in 2013.
Basal cell carcinoma, also known as a BCC, is a type of skin cancer largely believed to be caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or sun beds and most prevalent in the USA.
Hugh Jackman’s fight against skin cancer still continues and after every treatment, he takes to social media to post about the dangers of not wearing sunscreen.
2. Yuvraj Singh: Yuvraj started his International cricket career in 2000 and soon became the star of Indian Cricket team. In 2011, he was diagnosed with mediastinal seminoma and underwent chemotherapy sessions. After the treatment, Yuvraj’s cancer showing full signs of remission, he aimed at resuming cricket at the World Twenty20. It was his willingness to fight, that helped him beat Cancer, and get back to the playing field. “When life knocks down you have a choice — to get up. So I thought to myself -‘get up and do it again’,” he said.
In 2014, Yuvraj was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour. At the 2014 IPL auction Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Yuvraj for an all-time high price of ₹14 crores and, in 2015, the Delhi Daredevils bought him for ₹16 crore making him the most expensive player to be sold in the IPL. What an inspiring come back!
3. Jim Valvano: Jim is remembered for being many things: a player, a coach, a broadcaster and more. But above all he is an inspiration. And when diagnosed with cancer at age 46, he never gave up.
Determined to publicise the need for cancer research, Valvano started a vocal and spirited national campaign to raise funds and awareness. He established the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, whose motto is, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” Also formed was an organisation known as VICTORIES: Valvano’s Incredible Cancer Team of Really Important Extraordinary Stars.
4. Lance Armstrong: The world knows and celebrates Lance Armstrong for his remarkable defeat of life-threatening cancer and for his unparalleled seven consecutive victories in the Tour de France bicycle race. But, Armstrong revealed in an interview that he is more proud of his cancer victory than all of his racing wins.
5. Ingrid Bergman: Breast cancer is the tumor that more strikes women. The disease gained more visibility when it hit famous celebrities like Ingrid Bergman, Angelina Jolie and Melissa Etheridge.
Ingrid Bergman was one of the best actresses ever. She continued to work for nine years after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer, before dying of it at age 67.
6. Manisha Koirala: 90’s diva, Bollywood fame, the recipient of multiple Filmfare Awards. Manisha Koirala made her Bollywood debut with the box office grosser, Saudagar (1991).
Manisha was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. Koirala fought the disease courageously and defeated it completely by 2015 and returned to work. Now she leads an active career with films like Dear Maya (2017) and Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming Sanju, based on the life of Sanjay Dutt, whose actress-mother Nargis Dutt she plays.
7. Mumtaz: A very charming and timeless beautiful Mumtaz was a Bollywood actress who ruled million hearts in 1960 and 70s was diagnosed with breastCancer in early 2000. She underwent surgeries and treatment for a long time. The legendary Actress Mumtaz overcame the disease with her quiet determination and support of her family.
8. Cobie Smulders: A Canadian actress and model who is best known for her role in the famous TV series ‘How I Met Your Mother’ as Robin Scherbatsky.
Cobie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and underwent multiple surgeries. Cobie was very strong throughout the treatment, she fought against cancer bravely and also brought significant change to her lifestyle and came out of it healthier. In fact, she gave birth to two girls post her survival. Now Cobie spends a lot of her time in raising awareness about female reproductiveCancers by her inspiring story.
9. Cynthia Nixon: An American actress and activist, Cynthia Nixon is known for her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in the HBO series Sex and the City.
Cynthia was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2006 during routine mammography. Initially, she kept it secret but later, she announced her battle with the disease to become a breast cancer activist. “Breast cancer is beatable. It’s the most beatable cancer out there. We have to check ourselves and get the mammograms. My mother brought me up to believe that a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.” she said. Her cancer was successfully treated with surgery and radiation.
10. Stuart Scott: ESPN’s charismatic sportscaster Stuart Scott was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in 2007, at the age of 41.
Scott was honored at the ESPY Awards in 2014 with the Jimmy V Award for his courageous and inspiring ongoing battle against cancer and he made a famous speech at the event. Scott told the audience, “I never ask what stage I’m in. I haven’t wanted to know. It won’t change anything to me. Stage 1, 2 or 8, it doesn’t matter. I’m trying to fight it the best I can.”
11. Barbara Mori: A Mexican actress who made it big in Bollywood with her role in the movie Kites, starring opposite Hrithik Roshan.
Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29. She was able to beat cancer completely because of the early detection. Since then, she has been working to raise awareness about breast cancer. “I had everything in life. Good family, successful career. But I was still complaining. Cancer taught me to realise that one had to enjoy whatever you get in” she said after the recovery.
12. Gautami Tadimalla: A popular South Indian movie actress and a single mother, Gautami was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35.
Gautami underwent chemo and radiation, finally defeated it bravely. She was faithful in her routine breast self-exam and caught it at early-stage. Ever since she has been raising awareness about breast cancer through her ‘Life Again Foundation’. She says her crusade to raise awareness of cancer is because she wants to save those lives that are being needlessly lost — lost due to fear and ignorance. Every life that we can save is a family that is saved, she says.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, as well as your experience and other inspiring stories while dealing with cancer care. (If you are a cancer care professional and looking for a chance to meet, share and discuss your passion with other like minded people, come join us on Psycho-oncology Professional Network)
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