Following his startling diagnosis with chronic myeloid leukemia, noted basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has now set out to conquer another arena. Although, instead of becoming king of the court or appearing on the silver screen, this basketball phenom has set out to spread the awareness about his disease. Despite living a healthy and active life even today, Abdul-Jabbar was not able to dodge this opponent. Known to adhere to a rigorous and daunting training regime at the peak of his career, he has continued to workout and remain active on the court as a special assistant coach to the Los Angelos Lakers. Yet despite this he too has fallen victim to the presently incurable leukemia. However, unlike only ten years ago, his cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, and it is that message he is hoping to send to sufferers and their loved ones around the world.

Taking the opportunity to use his fame and fabled career as the podium on which to stand upon, Abdul-Jabbar is just the latest celebrity to actively battle this disease in front of millions worldwide. Proving that he can still enjoy the sport that has been his passion since youth, Abdul-Jabbar has no plans on slowing down or stepping aside in his assisting the Los Angelos Lakers basketball team. While fitness and his continued working out may not have spared him from contracting cancer, it will still remain a staple in his life.

With the latest in cancer research and revelations, Abdul-Jabbar can still participate in the rigors of the game he has mastered, and he hopes to prove that to the world. Now taking an oral medication, he is waging the war on cancer, and he is joined in good company in that fight. Just as Lance Armstrong, Cheryl Crow, and even the brave and heroic Farrah Fawcett who never lost hope up until the end, have not shied away from the public in their own diagnosis, Abdul-Jabbar hopes to prove to all cancer patients that not everyone with the disease must face a cruel and crippling demise. For many they can live life to the fullest and still be active while in the throws of their own disease.

Of course he by no means is making light of the leukemia and its potentially fatal nature, he only hopes that through his own continued active and fulfilled life he can shine a ray of hope to those patients struck with terror at their own diagnoses.