In a sad turn of events, former baseball star, Wade Boggs shared with the world that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This news is one that hit the sporting world with emotions as well-wishes poured in for the star.
As a legendary third baseman, Boggs gave the MLB an astonishing 18 years of his life, winning accolades and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Boggs’ Cancer Diagnosis
On Saturday, 7 September, Wade Boggs announced on social media that he has prostate cancer, expressing gratitude to his family for their support during this period. He shared his faith in the treatment and said “With the strength and support of my family and my faith in God, I’m going to ring that damn bell.”
For years, ringing the bell has marked the completion of cancer treatment and he believes he would undertake the same process. Despite the challenges ahead of him, he believes that it is something he would overcome and that's the first step to recovery.
Reaction and Support From Loved Ones
Once this news of Bogg’s cancer diagnosis got out, expression of support poured in from all angles, with players and coaches heading to social media to show their solidarity. The Baseball Hall of Fame also responded to his post by showing their support in a message,”we’re with you every step of the way, Wade!.”
This sort reaction is usually a proud one for people fighting cancer, as it shows that they are loved and strengthens their resolve to fight on. Recently, a fellow Hall of Fame member, Ryne Sandberg also announced that he was cancer free after a battle against prostate cancer. This shows that, with early detection, prostate cancer can be tackled, with the journey to recovery made easier.
Prostate Cancer Awareness
The recent diagnosis of prostate cancer of Wade Boggs shows the essence of early detection and how it can help patients overcome it early on. This cancer which primarily affects men is the second most common cause of cancer among men in the United States. It is estimated that there are about 268,000 new cases recorded annually.
However, prostate cancer, when detected earlier, has a high survival rate. Most of the patients who treat it early have a 90% chance of surviving five years or more after being diagnosed. With the American Cancer Society and Prostate Cancer Foundation continually providing support and information to those with cancer, the battle might actually be won in the coming years.
Boggs' Career and Legacy
In a career that spanned over 18 seasons, Wade was one player that left an indelible mark on the game. He had a .328 batting average, 3,010 hits, and 1,513 runs scored. He was also a five time batting champion and went on to get 12 All-Star nominations. To crown all his success in the game, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and continues to be remembered as one of the best baseball players.
Concluding Remarks
Wade’s announcement continues to serve as a reminder of the importance of health awareness in sports. Although they pay attention to their health while still in service, stories keep making rounds of players who break down after their career. That said, good thoughts for Wade as he goes through one of the toughest challenges on the way to fighting cancer.