Vivian Campbell, guitarist for Def Leppard, recently shared the best news of his life: he’s officially in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma after a 12-year battle. Speaking on SiriusXM, Campbell opened up about his long journey through various treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and even an autologous stem cell transplant that ultimately failed. “The cancer kept coming back,” he said, “and then a couple of years ago, it really got bad.” That’s when doctors told him his best shot at a cure was a donor transplant.
The road to that transplant wasn’t easy. While touring last summer, Campbell began prepping with more chemo, only to lose his donor just 10 days before the scheduled procedure. “That was a kick in the nuts,” he admitted. But fortune turned in his favor when a new donor was found in December. On New Year’s Eve, he checked into the hospital for what would become a life-changing three-and-a-half-week stay. After intense treatment, a PET scan in April confirmed the best possible outcome: he’s 100% cancer-free. “I am obviously overjoyed,” Campbell said. “You couldn’t ask for more than that.”
Now 62, Campbell is filled with gratitude, especially for the anonymous 21-year-old donor who made his recovery possible. “I owe them a beer — or two or three,” he joked. With his health restored, Campbell is ready to hit the stage again as Def Leppard kicks off their summer tour this Thursday in Milwaukee.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]
