Gord Downie
Gord Downie, the lead singer for the Canadian band Tragically Hip has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The band posted a notice on its website about Downie’s illness and said it will launch a summer more tour with their lead singer in place. Downie received the diagnosis in December and has since then “endured a lot of difficult times, and he has been fighting hard,” while he deals with the diagnosis in private, along with his family. The 1980s group, formed among high school students in Kingston, has endured in varying popularity among fans since then. Over 30 years of The Tragically Hip playing together for tours and shows, it has released more than 15 albums and had many hits. A news conference at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centres Tuesday heard that Downie is facing one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer but has been cleared to perform. Dr. James Perry, head of neurology at Sunnybrook said Downie has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, which is the most common and most aggressive cancerous primary brain tumour. He also said the brain cancer is incurable. Glioblastoma affects about two to three people per 100,000 in Canada, the United States and Europe, according to information supplied by Sunnybrook Heath Sciences Centre, which is treating the musician. Perry said it is the most common cause of cancer deaths in Canadians between 40 and 60 years old. Dr. Perry speaks at length in the CBC video below. Twitter
