Tom Brady Dyes Hair Orange to Raise Funds for Pediatric Cancer, Cancer Choir With a Profane Name Performs for Pope Francis and More

Article

From Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady letting children with cancer dye his hair orange to the name of a cancer drug causing controversy at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, here’s what’s happening in the cancer space this week.

Three-time Tour de France champion Greg LeMond reveals cancer diagnosis.

Greg LeMond, who won the Tour de France three times, making him the most decorated American male cyclist, shared on his personal website that he received a diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm.

"No one ever wants to hear the word cancer but, admittedly, there is great relief, now, to know why I was feeling poorly," the 60-year-old shared. "My doctors and I have decided on a treatment which will begin this week. I should be feeling better in a few weeks and for the near future, my daily schedule will be altered only a little and I have been told that in a few months, I should be in remission.”

LeMond won the Tour de France in 1986, 1989 and 1990. After retiring from the sport in 1994, he became an anti-doping advocate.

Members of the “F*** Cancer Choir” perform for Pope Francis.

Thirty Italian singers who make up the “F*** Cancer Choir” sang at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City in a performance for Pope Francis, who gave the group the VIP treatment, despite the profanities written on their bright-red shirts, according to Reuters.

The group, which is led by two doctors, an oncologist and a biologist, hopes to provide energy and strength to patients with cancer, as well as raise funds for research.

"You are good, you are poets, thank you," the pope, laughing, said to the musical group, according to a video posted on their Facebook page.

A cancer drug sparks controversy at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

When 13-year-old Surya Kapu was asked to spell “leucovorin” — a drug used to prevent harmful side effects from methotrexate chemotherapy treatment — in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, he asked for information on the origin of the word. When he was not provided with an adequate answer and spelled the word incorrectly, he and his family appealed to Scripps.

"Upon further review, it was determined that there was more directly relevant information available in the dictionary to one of the speller's questions. Based on this, Surya will be provided a chance to participate in Round 7 with a new word,” read a statement from Scripps National Spelling Bee.

As a result, Kapu received a new word to spell, putting him back in the running for the $50,000 cash prize awarded to the winner.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady dyes hair for pediatric cancer

Brady, the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, dyed his hair orange on Wednesday as part of a charity called “Cut and Color for a Cure” to benefit pediatric cancer.

The eighth annual event raised more than $117,000 for The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, according to the NFL team.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Related Videos
A man with a dark gray button-up shirt with glasses and cropped brown hair.
MPN Hero, Ed Bartholemy in an interview with CURE
Julie Huynh-Lu in an interview with CURE
Myelofibrosis Panel
Dr. John O. Mascarenhas
Related Content