Jason Collins Faces Cancer With Courage and Hope

Quick Smiles:

• Jason Collins shares his journey after a Stage 4 glioblastoma diagnosis.
• He is embracing innovative treatments and staying optimistic.
• Collins finds comfort with family and remains an inspiration.

Former NBA player Jason Collins has bravely announced that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. After his family initially kept details private, Collins decided to share his story publicly to inspire others with his openness and courage.

“A few months ago, my family released a short statement saying I had a brain tumor. It was simple, but intentionally vague. They did that to protect my privacy while I was mentally unable to speak for myself and my loved ones were trying to understand what we were dealing with,” Collins revealed.

“But now it’s time for people to hear directly from me. I have Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. It came on incredibly fast,” he continued.

His choice to go public was filled with honesty and hope. “Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private. This is me. This is what I’m dealing with,” Collins shared.

Glioblastoma is a fast-growing cancer that begins in the brain or spinal cord, making treatment especially challenging. Collins explained, “What makes glioblastoma so dangerous is that it grows within a very finite, contained space — the skull — and it’s very aggressive and can expand.”

He further described, “My glioblastoma is ‘multiforme.’ Imagine a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball.”

Collins illustrated the cancer’s difficulty. “What’s that mythical creature where you cut off one head, but it learns to grow two more? The Hydra. That’s the kind of glio I have,” he noted.

The first signs of his illness included difficulty focusing and changes in behavior that initially seemed mild. Collins and his husband, Brunson Green, realized something serious was wrong when daily tasks became overwhelming. This led to tests and his eventual diagnosis.

Collins recalled, “According to my family, in hours, my mental clarity, short-term memory and comprehension disappeared — turning into an NBA player’s version of ‘Dory’ from ‘Finding Nemo.’ Over the next few weeks we would find out just how bad it was.”

The couple navigated the changes together, finding small bright spots and support through the toughest moments. Collins found gentle comfort in quiet television and the presence of his loved ones.

Though glioblastoma cannot be cured, Collins is undergoing treatments including the drug Avastin, radiation, and targeted chemotherapy. New therapies offer hope for prolonging and improving his quality of life.

“Within days, I started coming out of my fog,” Collins said about his radiation treatment progress. “They had to wheel me into my first radiation treatment. By the third one I could walk.”

Now, Collins continues his treatment in Singapore, where doctors use innovative techniques to deliver medicine directly to the tumor. He remains hopeful that he will be able to try new immunotherapy approaches in the future.

He aims to keep fighting and to inspire others with his resilience and openness. Collins’ strength and the love of his family shine as a beacon of hope for those facing difficult diagnoses.

If you feel inspired by Jason Collins’ courage, share his story with a friend or loved one to spread hope and positivity today!

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