Def Leppard Guitarist Cancer Diagnosis

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell revealed some pretty shocking news yesterday. The 50-year-old rock star announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He explained that he had been suffering from a cough that just wouldn’t go away. So, he decided to go in for a surgical biopsy back in March and that is when he found out the bad news. Doctors told him he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Campbell will have to receive chemotherapy for several months.

Campbell released a statement on his illness and he is remaining very positive…

“My diagnosis was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and 6 months of chemotherapy is the prescribed treatment. I’m about 2 months in and feeling rather spiffy, all things considered. Hodgkin’s has an over 80% cure rate, so by my reckoning, if you’re going to have cancer, Hodgie’s is the one to have!

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because, despite cancer and chemo, me and my new aerodynamic hairstyle are going on tour this summer with the band and I don’t want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund. Simple economics, really.”

How do these people who get diagnosed with cancer always stay so positive? If I had cancer, I’d be even more miserable to be around than I already am. I really admire people who can stay positive even when everything seems to be against them.

If you’re interested, the band’s summer tour will start on June 21 in France and it ends on July 17.