It is with cautious optimism that I post this- one of the all-time greats of the entire sport of basketball has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Kareem has announced that he has Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, or CML for short. It is a cancer that affects the white blood cells. The bad news: Kareem has cancer. The good news: This is one of the more treatable varieties and he has been told he’ll live his life in essentially the same way he used to (aside from popping pills, of course).
Much like Magic Johnson did with HIV, Kareem is using his diagnosis to spread information and knowledge about this rare disease. He was quoted in the associated press as saying,
"“There is hope. This condition can be treated. You can still live a productive, full life,” he said. “I’m living proof I can make it.”"