The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell reveals blood cancer diagnosis: ‘Very rare and aggressive’

O'Donnell marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month by encouraging people on social media to get checked for any symptoms of the disease. Photo / Getty Images

The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell was diagnosed with a “very rare and aggressive form” of blood cancer a year ago.

The 68-year-old keyboardist in the group of Friday I’m In Love fame has shared the importance of getting checked out for any symptoms of the disease to mark Blood Cancer Awareness Month - after he “ignored” his own.

He began a lengthy post on social media platform X: “In September last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.”

“I had ignored the symptoms for a few months but finally went for a scan, and after surgery the result of the biopsy was devastating.”

The musician says his prognosis is “amazing” after he underwent the latest “immunotherapy” treatment and got “second opinions”.

He went on: “I’ve now completed 11 months of treatment under some of the finest specialists in the world and with second opinions and advice from the teams that had developed the drugs I was being given. I had the benefit of the latest sci-fi immunotherapy and some drugs that were first used 100 years ago.”

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month so it’s a good opportunity to have a dialogue about these diseases. In September last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. I had ignored the symptoms for a few months but finally went… pic.twitter.com/8Xftcd5nPL

— Roger O'Donnell (@RogerODonnellX) September 1, 2024

O’Donnell implored anyone with the “faintest thought” of symptoms to get tested, as he thanked everyone who has been there for him.

Offering his advice, he concluded: “Cancer CAN be beaten, but if you are diagnosed early enough, you stand a way better chance, so all I have to say is go GET TESTED. If you have the faintest thought you may have symptoms, go and get checked out.

“Lastly, if you know someone who is ill or suffering, talk to them. Every single word helps - believe me, I know. I would also like to thank my [doctors], rock stars every one of them, all the nurses and technicians, my friends, family and my partner Mimi. Sometimes it’s harder to be on the other side of this…”

O’Donnell pulled out of the band’s Latin America tour due to “health reasons” last November.

In a social media statement, the Lovecats group said: “We are sure you will join with us in wishing him the speediest of recoveries.”