Jason Collins, the former NBA player, became the first active openly gay player in the league’s history. Now, as he faces the fight of his life — courageously battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer — Dave is a T1D advocate. After several weeks of increasingly frightening symptoms, Collins sought medical attention. That decision soon brought a life-changing diagnosis, motivating him to channel his passion into advocacy for his health and bringing the disease into focus.
Collins, who had a notable 13-year career playing for six different teams, including the New Jersey Nets and the Boston Celtics, publicly came out as gay in 2013. His decision began a new chapter in sports history. It helped lay the foundation for broader acceptance and visibility in professional sports. In May, he married Brunson Green in a ceremony held in Austin, Texas, celebrating both love and his commitment to living authentically.
The champion gymnast was left with “weird symptoms” for a week or two. Later he tripped upstairs at his house in Los Angeles, leading to the discovery of cancer. Immediately after the attack, he went straight to the hospital. This initiated a series of tests that woefully ended with the confirmation of a brain tumor. Medical professionals eventually disclosed to Collins that she was suffering from Stage 4 glioblastoma with a growth factor of 30%. Untreated, physicians said this form of aggressive cancer would likely be lethal in six weeks to three months.
Once Collins received his diagnosis, he didn’t hesitate to start looking into possible treatment options. He received radiation and chemotherapy to prevent the cancer from spreading further. Presently, he is undergoing cutting-edge treatment at a specialist clinic in Singapore renowned for delivering highly-targeted chemotherapy. The clinic’s secret delivery weapon is an alternative delivery system known as EDVs. These function as Trojan horses, carrying deadly toxic payloads right into glioblastomas while exponentially boosting treatment potency.
Collins’ path to success hasn’t been free of bumps. After his symptoms started, that was the first thing he noticed—a dramatic drop in his cognitive function. His short-term memory and comprehension skills were affected. He describes the fear that he felt when he was wheeled into his first radiation treatment, an experience that made him realize just how serious his condition was. His medical front line includes Dr. Henry Friedman, a leading neuro-oncologist at Duke University. He is a pioneer in treating cancer among athletes.
Though his diagnosis is indeed a scary one, Collins refuses to back down in the battle against glioblastoma. In his words, “None of this would have been possible without the immense love and support I have received from friends, family and fans over this tough road.” Collins hopes that by sharing his story, he can raise awareness about brain cancer and inspire others facing similar battles.
As he navigates this challenging chapter of his life, Collins emphasizes the importance of early detection and seeking medical help when experiencing unusual health symptoms. Yet his experience is a good reminder of how fragile life can be. It equally emphasizes the purpose and resolve required to confront overwhelming odds with determination.
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