Athletes and Leukemia

Professional sports require athletes to push their bodies right to their limits to reach amazing physical achievements. Leukemia, like any great challenge, can be overcome through treatment. There have been many great athletes who fought their own battles with leukemia in order to continue doing what they loved. The following are a few famous success stories.

Andres Gallaraga:

A major league baseball player for the Expos, Braves, and Giants, Gallaraga played in the MLB for 14 years before being diagnosed with leukemia in 1999. He took a season off to go through treatment and was back in the game for another five years before retiring in 2004.

Jason Blake:

A hockey star who now plays for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Blake announced in 2007 that he had been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML. Blake went on to battle the disease while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, his team at the time. He was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for his perseverance and dedication to the sport he loves.

Bryan Fletcher:

A U.S. nordic combined skier, Fletcher battled acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child. Although he kept skiing and jumping during his treatment, it was not an easy battle, and something that sticks with him to this day. It seems to have only made him stronger however, as Fletcher went on to compete in Sochi at the Winter Olympics and came in sixth for the men’s team. He also works with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to inspire other kids with his story to pursue their dreams.