In a heartfelt revelation that has captured the attention of the sports community, former NBA player Jason Collins has bravely shared that he is battling glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Collins, known not only for his impressive basketball career but also for being the first openly gay active player in NBA history, is now facing one of the toughest challenges of his life.
The announcement came from Collins’ family, who expressed their concern for his health in September. Collins, who has played for six NBA teams over his 13-year career, has now been focused on fighting for his life against this debilitating disease. His former Stanford classmate, sports journalist Ramona Shelburne, brought the story to light, providing a poignant look at Collins’ struggle.
During a candid discussion regarding his condition, Collins detailed the reality of his diagnosis. He described the glioblastoma as having “pretty much taken over” his brain and shared the sobering fact that without treatment, the tumor could double in size in just a couple of weeks. “If you do nothing, it is 6 weeks to 3 months of your life,” Collins revealed. “If you do the standard of care, it’s about 13 months.” This stark timeline emphasizes the urgency he feels to seek more aggressive treatments.
Collins and his family have decided to pursue experimental therapies abroad, embarking on a journey that could take them to Singapore for several weeks. They are looking into innovative chemotherapy techniques involving “EDVs,” which are essentially designed to deliver medications that typically struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier. Collins expressed optimism about these novel approaches, stating, “We are in the city of the future. So, let’s do some future stuff.”
In discussing his motivations, Collins shared insight that is both personal and inspiring. He has always considered himself a fighter, a trait that has defined his life both on the basketball court and in his personal endeavors. His brother, Jiren Collins, emphasized the importance of this fighting spirit as a key component of Jason’s approach to his diagnosis. “You have to fight. And that’s what I’ve done my whole life is fight,” Jason remarked, laying bare his determination to tackle this new adversary head-on.
Collins reminisced about possible early warning signs, recalling moments when he began to feel unusually forgetful and disoriented—subtle hints that, in hindsight, indicated there were greater issues at play. His family did not initially realize the severity of the situation until a trip to the emergency room revealed a baseball-sized mass in his skull.
As a pioneer for LGBTQ+ rights in sports, Collins continues to inspire many with his bravery. Since coming out publicly in 2013, he has been determined to use his platform not just for himself but for others who may find themselves in similar predicaments. “It was an easy decision to get more experimental,” he stated. “I knew I was doing the right decision when I came out publicly, and if not for me, for someone else.”
The support from the sports community has been overwhelming. Collins’s courage and transparency during such a difficult time have garnered admiration from fans and players alike. Fellow athletes have shared messages of encouragement, acknowledging the impact of his past choices and the way he continues to pave the way for those who follow in his footsteps.
As Jason and his husband, Brunson, prepare for their upcoming stay in Singapore, the uncertainty of their future weighs heavily. Whether they will return or stay as they navigate this journey remains an open question, but one thing is clear: Jason Collins approaches this challenge with a heart full of love and an indomitable spirit.
Our thoughts are with Jason and his family during this fight. His resilience exemplifies not only the strength of an athlete but the courage of a human being facing tremendous adversity.