The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell Reveals Aggressive Blood Cancer Diagnosis

The Cure keyboardist Roger O’Donnell has revealed he has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of blood cancer. The 68-year-old shared this personal news, stating that he had ignored his symptoms for months before a biopsy in 2023 confirmed a rare type of lymphoma.

London-born O’Donnell took to Instagram on Sunday to share his story, aligning it with Blood Cancer Awareness Month. He wrote, “In September last year, I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.” He confessed that he had initially overlooked the symptoms but eventually went for a scan. After surgery, the biopsy results were devastating.

O’Donnell underwent 11 months of treatment under the care of some of the world’s finest specialists. His treatment regimen included taking cancer drugs, undergoing immunotherapy, and following up with radiotherapy. Despite the tough road, he assured fans that he is “fine” and that his prognosis is “amazing.”

“The mad axe murderer knocked on the door and we didn’t answer,” he remarked, metaphorically describing his battle with cancer. He stressed the importance of early diagnosis, urging people to get tested if they suspect any symptoms. “Cancer can be beaten, but if you are diagnosed early enough, you stand a way better chance.”

He also highlighted the importance of support, encouraging everyone to talk to those who are ill or suffering. “Every single word helps; believe me, I know,” he added. Before signing off, O’Donnell thanked his partner Mimi and his medical team for their unwavering support.

In a follow-up post shared hours later, O’Donnell posted a black-and-white picture of himself smiling at the camera, hinting at the loss of his hair due to treatment with the caption, “The hair isn’t out of choice hahahah.”

Previously, O’Donnell had mentioned to his fans that he was unwell, describing his condition only as a “serious health issue” when he had to pull out of a performance in Mexico with the band in 2023. According to Blood Cancer UK, symptoms of blood cancer can include unexplained weight loss, unusual bruising, breathlessness, rashes, extreme tiredness, chest pain, lumps, and swollen glands.

The Cure, famous for tracks such as “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Friday I’m In Love,” have been longstanding supporters of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The band, led by Robert Smith, formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in the 1970s. O’Donnell joined the group in 1987, though he left twice in 1990 and 2005, before rejoining in 2011.

This isn’t the first time the band has faced cancer-related struggles. A former drummer, Andy Anderson, passed away at age 68 in 2019 after being diagnosed with cancer. Despite these challenges, the band has remained resilient and has been teasing a new record.

In 2022, frontman Robert Smith mentioned to NME that a new album titled “Songs Of A Lost World” was almost ready. “It’s got artwork, it’s got a running order, it’s almost done!” he had announced enthusiastically.

O’Donnell also previously described the upcoming album as the band’s “most intense” and “saddest” record yet. He told Classic Pop magazine, “Four years ago, I said to Robert, ‘We have to make one more record. It has to be the most intense, saddest, most dramatic, and most emotional record we’ve ever made, and then we can just walk away from it.’ He agreed. Listening to the demos, it is that record. I think everybody will be happy with it.”

Since their last album, 4:13 Dream, was released in 2008, O’Donnell noted that the next release would be “precious.” He said, “It’s 12 years since the last album, so it becomes precious. When you’ve got a back catalogue like The Cure, it’s a lot to live up to. Robert has said, ‘if The Cure say any more, it had better be important and it had better be f**king good’.”

“It is, it’s going to be an amazing record. I just suggest a little patience,” he affirmed.

With additional reporting from PA.

Source: Blood Cancer UK, NME, Classic Pop Magazine