Lakers Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reveals His Battle With Cancer

Los Angeles Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and luckily, he was able to beat the deadly disease. He has also struggled with leukemia and had a heart bypass surgery. Sadly, the NBA icon was only able to beat these diseases due to his celebrity status. That’s the sad truth about today’s world.

The 73-year-old wrote an essay for WebMD. In his essay, Abdul-Jabbar wrote about the fact that most people don’t have the privileges he had during his battle with cancer and leukemia.

“I’ve been fortunate because my celebrity has brought me enough financial security to receive excellent medical attention,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “But while I’m grateful for my advantages, I’m acutely aware that many others in the Black community do not have the same options and that it is my responsibility to join with those fighting to change that. Because Black lives are at risk. Serious risk.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar beat cancer, fights for equality

The basketball legend also called out the inequality people deal with in the US. He called out the entire health care system in the country.

“The more insidious and damaging threat to the health, lives, and economic well-being of Black Americans is a health care system that ignores the fact that, though they are most in need of medical services, they actually receive the lowest level.”

These comments come on top of the current situation in the country. Millions of people are dealing with COVID-19 right now. There are 15 million positive tests and 300,000 death cases as of December 2020.

Abdul-Jabbar is using his platform to throw light on the problems African Americans deal with on a daily basis. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has made similar comments in the past few months. He supports the Black community, giving people a better chance to live a decent life. LeBron has given people hope, and has given them equal opportunities. He grew up in a poor neighborhood, struggling with poverty and inequality. LeBron has made comments on systemic inequality and racism, and his word is definitely heard.