Just 16 months prior, Conner was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma and spent his offseason dealing with cancer treatments. The 2014 ACC player of the year, Conner worked out with his Pitt teammates even as he underwent 12 chemotherapy treatments. He was on the field and in uniform for the Panthers’ season opener last fall, announcing his comeback with two touchdowns in the game. Conner finished his final college season with 1,060 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns; he added 20 receptions and four receiving touchdowns. Just before he went to the combine in Indianapolis, Conner got word that his most recent scan was clean and he continues to be cancer-free.
James Conner is a cancer survivor.
Conner’s battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been well chronicled throughout his career. Conner tore his MCL during his junior season at Pitt. While running tests, doctors discovered Conner had tumors surrounding his heart. He underwent chemotherapy, and was able to return to Pitt for a redshirt junior season. Conner was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Conner didn’t play much during his rookie season with the Steelers, but broke out in 2018. As Le’Veon Bell sat out, Conner rushed for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl.
Despite his battle with cancer, he did not consider opting out of the 2020 NFL season, according to Pryor.
James Conner received a cancer diagnosis that was so severe, he was told by a medical professional that he had about a week to live. A college student with his entire life in front of him, at the top of his game. Seven days and his life would be over. Think about that. You’re an athlete, a young adult, a healthy guy. You go to the doctor for a mundane issue, and the doctor says you may be dead before next Sunday.
He fought it and he survived.
It’s difficult to even imagine what the battle looked like. His heart was surrounded by tumors. He was pumped full of chemicals with side effects both known and unknown to give him a chance to stay alive. His challenge was to not just overcome cancer but continue to perform at the level of an elite athlete. Nobody can do that. It doesn’t even make sense. But Conner did it.
Conner visits cancer wards regularly. His life is proof that patients can overcome their diagnosis, no matter how dark. They are more that just cancer patients, they are human beings with beautiful lives and family and friends. It’s not just survival they have to look forward to, but fulfilling their hopes and dreams. Cancer won’t define them, it’s just an obstacle that they can overcome.
There was a post here recently about Conner receiving an award for fighting through adversity. No, it wasn’t his first award, and it won’t be his last. Honestly it’s insane that he was given a week to live and he survived, no less that he’s a pro-bowler in the NFL. And yet, the top voted comment on that post says “one of the worst side effects of cancer would be having to put up with shit like this for the rest of your life.”
Imagine that. You’re given 7 days to live,
your entire world starts to collapse on top of you,
you spend every drop of your being fighting to stay alive, you go on to be one of the top athletes on the planet, and what bothers you the most from fighting a life threatening condition and emerging through the other side is having to “put up with shit” like being recognized for your battle.
Fuck off. Conner is a lot more than a cancer survivor, but he is a cancer survivor. He is a beacon of hope for people who need hope. He deserves this award and a thousand more, and every award he receives is another opportunity to give hope to cancer patients. Every time a commentator says “did you know he had cancer?” , you may see it as a tired narrative, but someone is lying in a hospital bed after being told they have just a few more days to live, and finding themselves actually believing they can beat it, because James Conner did.
Let the Ed Block award committee and the commentators have this. Let the Disney Spirit committee and the Stanley M. Marks courage award foundation have this. Let them have this because even if it’s a nuisance for Steelers fans to hear it for the 75th time, it actually means something to cancer patients. Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Survivors (nih.gov)
November 28, 2020 Steelers’ RB James Conner, Cancer Survivor, Tests Positive for COVID-19 (outsider.com)
James Conner, a cancer survivor after a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, decides to play for the Steelers in 2020 (hce1947.blogspot.com)
“Blood donations are critical for so many patients battling cancer,” said Howard Byck,
Senior Vice President of Corporate and Sports Alliances at the American Cancer Society. “Cancer takes away so much, but this partnership with the American Red Cross and James Connor urging the public to give blood will ultimately help people dealing with cancer receive the lifesaving treatments they need.”COVID-19 COMPLICATIONS The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to blood donations and in the care and treatment of cancer patients. According to the American Cancer Society, many patient visits and procedures were forced to be delayed or canceled early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. And, while cancer deaths dropped at the onset of the pandemic, those rates will likely increase in the months and years to come due to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Football running back and cancer survivor James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals is teaming up with the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society to urge people to Give Blood to Give Time to help patients battling cancer as the Red Cross announces a platelet shortage.
Conner, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2015, raises awareness about the important role blood can play during intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments used to treat cancer, which can both damage the body’s ability to generate healthy blood cells and cause potentially life-threatening conditions. Blood transfusions from generous donors provide patients with critical clotting factors, proteins and antibodies needed to help them fight back.
“I believe people can help cancer patients fight back by donating blood and realizing how important that is,” Conner said. “The more you donate blood the more it gives people time. We can all do our part to make sure our loved ones have the strength and support to fight cancer by donating blood.
”Platelets, the key clotting factor in blood which are most often used by cancer patients and to treat other life-threatening illnesses and injuries, have a shelf life of just five days. This short shelf life makes it a challenge to ensure hospitals have enough platelets on hand for routine and emergency medical needs.“
Platelets play a critical role in the treatment of cancer for millions of Americans. Without a platelet transfusion, many cancer patients may not be able to receive the treatments they need,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross. “The Red Cross is grateful for the support of James Conner and the American Cancer Society to increase awareness about the meaningful difference blood donors play in helping patients beat this terrible disease.”
After 12 rounds of chemotherapy over the span of a year, Conner announced that he was cancer free. View a video on James Conner’s experience here.
Giving blood to give time is a meaningful way to honor a loved one or show support for cancer patients who are battling or have battled cancer. To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.
One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with nearly 1.9 million new cancer cases expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2021. Patients fighting cancer use more blood than patients with any other disease. About six blood products are needed every minute of every day to help someone going through cancer treatment.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Updated COVID-19 Safety Precautions
The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with CDC and OSHA guidance. Fully vaccinated individuals including staff and blood donors will no longer need to wear masks or socially distance at Red Cross facilities or blood drives beginning May 21. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance themselves at Red Cross facilities or blood drives.
For Media Only Contact:
American Cancer Society: teri.mitchellporter@cancer.org, (312) 909-9385
American Red Cross: media@redcross.org, (202) 303-5551
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle.
For more information go to www.cancer.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruz roja americana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Football star and cancer survivor James Conner calls on Americans to Give Blood to Give Time | News | wfmz.com
‘Just so blessed’: Pitt’s James Conner, a cancer survivor, emotional in getting award – The Washington Post
Immunotherapy Saved Lung Cancer Survivor Oswald Peterson.
The Lung Cancer Survival Rate Is Improving in the U.S. — This 89-Year-Old Survivor Has an Incredible Message of Hope. ‘It’s Changed My Perspective’: Cancer Surgeon Becomes a Lung Cancer Patient, Loses a Lung, and Then Runs a 5K; The Power of Positivity. Trusted Experts on Cancer Prevention, Treatment & Survivorship | SurvivorNet
EMAIL SUPPORT. +1 (978) 768 86 17. Tips for Not All Bad Comes To Harm You: Observations Of A Cancer Survivor|Janice Mock Editing Your Academic Work Anyone who has passed the agony of writing a paper and researching for it knows how satisfying it is to write the last word. Once the paper is fully written and the struggle of …
“To whom much is given, much will be required”
Ideas & info to help you Take Charge of your Cancer Diagnosis (anticancerclub.com) Cancer Survivor Uses Photography To Highlight Her Journey; ‘It’s Given My Cancer A Different Aspect’ – CBS Chicago (cbslocal.com)
Family Of Young Brain Cancer Survivor Speaks On Interaction With Tom Brady: ‘It Was Crazy, I Didn’t Believe It’ – CBS Boston (cbslocal.com)
Winners and losers from NFL Week 9, plus teams that might land Odell Beckham Jr. and Bears-Steelers picks (cbssports.com)
Cancer survivor Katie McCracken an inspiration to Towson volleyball: ‘It taught me to never give up’ – Baltimore Sun
David Cantin Is Dina Manzo’s Spouse Who Is a Millionaire and Cancer Survivor — Get to Know Him (amomama.com)
Understanding the gastrointestinal tract of the elderly to develop dietary solutions that prevent malnutrition (nih.gov)
Airline apologizes to cancer survivor who was told to remove hoodie with vulgar word (msn.com)
Meet James, a Skin Cancer Survivor | Dallas, Irving | Dr. Ellen Turner (dermofficedallas.com)
Stage 4 Cancer Survivor – Annie’s Story | The Essential Health Blog (essense-of-life.com) Breast Cancer survivor says early detection can save lives (burlingtoncountytimes.com)
Anal Cancer Survivor – Patti’s Story | The Essential Health Blog (essense-of-life.com)
JAMES GOLDING | CANCER SURVIVOR AND RECORD BREAKER – Quella Bicycle
Three-Time Cancer Survivor is Asking People to Walk in His Shoes (prnewswire.com)
Pauline Thomas, 14-year breast cancer survivor, tells her story – Caribbean Life
James Funderberg Cancer Survivor Story — (cancercompanion.org)
Inside Todd Seals’ Stage IV Prostate Cancer Survival Story (menshealth.com)
A Chat With A Breast Cancer Survivor – Sidelines (mtsusidelines.com
Lung Cancer Survivor: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms (preventcancer.org)
Cancer survivor James Conner speaks with Craig Sager before NBA Finals (yahoo.com)
Did James Roday Have a Heart Operation? Surgery Rumor Details (distractify.com)
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered) – YouTube
Better Nutrition for Cancer Survivors | Health and Wellness (osu.edu)
You can’t change what you do not know:
Search Results for cancer survivor stories | Cancer Quick Facts (solitarius.org) Understanding the gastrointestinal tract of the elderly to develop dietary solutions that prevent malnutrition (nih.gov)
ADDITIONAL BONUS:
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers QB, says he takes full responsibility for
Covid-19 and vaccination comments he made on a radio show last week.