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The Cure keyboardist Roger O'Donnell has revealed he has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of blood cancer.
The 68-year-old said he had “ignored the symptoms for a few months” before a biopsy in 2023 showed he had a rare type of lymphoma.
London-born O'Donnell wrote on Instagram on Sunday: “September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month so it's a great opportunity to raise awareness about these diseases.
“In September of last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.
“I had ignored the symptoms for a few months, but I finally went for a scan and after surgery the biopsy result was devastating.”
He said he completed 11 months of treatment, under the supervision of some of the “best specialists in the world.” His treatment included taking anti-cancer drugs and undergoing immunotherapy followed by radiation therapy.
The keyboardist assured his fans that he is “fine” and that his prognosis is “incredible.”
She continued: “The crazy axe murderer knocked on the door and we didn’t answer.”
She added: “Cancer is beatable, but if you catch it early enough, you have a much better chance, so all I have to say is get tested, and if you have even the slightest suspicion that you may have symptoms, go and get tested.”
“Lastly, if you know someone who is sick or suffering, talk to them. Every word counts, believe me, I know that.”
As he said goodbye, the musician thanked his partner Mimi and his medical team.
In another post shared hours later, O'Donnell smiled at the camera in a black-and-white image, captioning the picture: “Hair is not by choice lol,” possibly alluding to hair loss through her treatment.
O'Donnell had previously told fans he was unwell, but simply revealed he had a “serious health issue” when he was forced to pull out of performing in Mexico with the band in 2023.
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According to Blood Cancer UK, symptoms can include unexplained weight loss and unusual bruising, shortness of breath, rashes, extreme tiredness, chest pain, lumps and swollen glands.
The Cure, known for the songs “Boys Don't Cry” and “Friday I'm In Love”, have also played at the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series.
Fronted by Robert Smith, the rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in the 1970s and O'Donnell joined in 1987. He had left the group twice previously, in 1990 and 2005. But in 2011, he rejoined the band.
A former drummer for the band, Andy Anderson, died aged 68 in 2019 after being diagnosed with cancer.
The band's current members have long been hinting at a new record, with frontman Robert Smith saying: NME in 2022 that an album would be coming “very soon.”
“It's called 'Songs from a Lost World.' It has illustrations, it has a presentation order, and it's almost finished!” he said at the time.
O'Donnell previously described the unreleased album as the band's “most intense” and “saddest” record to date.
Talking with Classic Pop In an interview with The New York Times magazine, Robert said: “Four years ago I said to Robert, ‘We have to make one more record… it has to be the most intense, saddest, most dramatic, most emotional record we’ve ever made, and then we can leave it at that. ’ He agreed. Listening to the demos, it’s that record. I think everyone will be happy with it.”
But he said that since his last album, 4:13 Dreamcame out in 2008, the next release would be “precious”.
“The problem is it’s been 12 years since the last album, so it becomes precious,” O’Donnell said at the time. “When you have a catalogue like The Cure’s, there’s a lot to live up to. Robert has said, ‘If The Cure say anything else, it better be important and it better be fucking good. ’”
“It's going to be an incredible album. I just suggest a little patience,” he said at the time.
With additional reporting from PA.
