Kareem plans on fighting his leukemia

November 10th, 2009, 6:57 am · 8 Comments · posted by JANIS CARR, OCREGISTER.COM

Did Superman ever catch a cold?

There are some people you never expect to get sick. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of them.

Big, strong, still the all-time leading scorer in the NBA. Six MVP awards. Imposing. Inventor of the skyhook. Lakers great.

So the news that Abdul-Jabbar has a rare, but treatable form of leukemia, tends to be a tad shocking. He was diagnosed last December with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous blood cells.

He said the disease can be managed by taking oral medication and having regularly having his blood analyzed. Abdul-Jabbar said he doesn’t expect it to affect his coaching.

“The word ‘leukemia’ is a very frightening word,” he said. “In many instances, it’s a killer and it’s something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you’re going to beat it.”

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J-Dizzle says:

November 10, 2009 at 7:14 am

Surprise to read that’s for sure. Good to know he’ll be alright.

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billy curtis says:

November 10, 2009 at 8:50 am

I’m praying for you Kareem!

steve says:

November 10, 2009 at 9:43 am

I hope Cap. will beat this as he did all the centers he was up against.
I do wonder if the “mary jane” over the years had anything to do with this ? Good luck Kareem. Peace be with you bro.

November 10, 2009 at 10:42 am

It’s genetic for him. Read the LA Times article on it. Mary Jane aint gonna do it.