Dickey Betts Died, ‘Shopaholic’ Author Announces Cancer Diagnosis and More

Sophie Kinsella, author of "Shopaholic," announced having brain cancer after her children adjusted to their "new normal."

“Shopaholic” author was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Sophie Kinsella — who was born Madeleine Sophie Wickham — recently revealed that she was diagnosed with glioblastoma in late 2022. Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer, the author said in an Instagram post announcing her diagnosis.

Kinsella, who is 54 years old, said that she hesitated to share her diagnosis because she wanted to ensure that her children were able to process the news and adapt to their “new normal.”

“I have been under the care of the excellent team at University College Hospital in London and have had successful surgery and subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is still ongoing,” she said in the post. “To everyone who is suffering from cancer in any form, I send love and best wishes, as well as to those who support them. It can feel very lonely and scary to have a tough diagnosis, and the support and care of those around you means more than words can say.”

The singer and guitarist of the Allman Brothers Band died of cancer.

Dickey Betts, guitarist and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, died after being diagnosed with cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a statement from his family. He was 80 years old.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts,” the statement reads. “The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch passed away earlier today at his home in Osprey, FL., surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide. At this difficult time, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy in the coming days. More information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time.”

Former director of NIH revealed his prostate diagnosis.

Francis S. Collins, the former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that he received a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

When Collins’ prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels rose, he knew there was an increased chance of the presence of prostate cancer, he stated in an essay published in The Washington Post.

His speculation was confirmed to be true when an MRI scan showed an expanding tumor and very high PSA levels.

“New biopsies taken from the mass showed transformation into a much more aggressive cancer,” wrote Collins in the essay. “When I heard the diagnosis was now a nine on a cancer-grading scale that goes only to 10, I knew that everything had changed.”

After receiving a PET scan, Collins explained that there was no evidence of cancer beyond the primary tumor. He revealed that he will be undergoing a procedure called a radical prostatectomy, which will remove his entire prostate gland.

“I want all men to have the same opportunity that I did. Prostate cancer is still the No. 2 killer of men,” Collins continued. “I want the goals of the Cancer Moonshot to be met — to end cancer as we know it. Early detection really matters, and when combined with active surveillance can identify the risky cancers like mine and leave the rest alone.”

Nebraska sports announcer opened up about his cancer diagnosis.

Greg Sharpe, a sports announcer for football and baseball in Nebraska, discussed his diagnosis of cancer.

Although he did not specify his cancer type, he mentioned that it involved the “pancreatic region of the body,” he said during the “Sports Nightly” weeknight show.

"I want to get this thing, whup its butt and get myself ready for football because I think we are going to have a fabulous, fabulous football season around here in the fall," Sharpe said on the show.

Sharpe has been the play-by-play voice for a baseball program in Nebraska and announced his news in case his treatment schedule would interfere with the baseball schedule, he said.

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