Country music star Toby Keith announced Sunday he has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and has, for the last six months, sought aggressive treatment through chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Keith, 60, made the announcement in a brief statement shared on his social media accounts:
“So far, so good,” he wrote. “I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
While Keith said he plans to spend the coming days with his family, he is eager to return to the stage, writing, “I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
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Just minutes after the “American Soldier” singer shared the update, the Ohio State Fair announced Keith’s July 28 performance was canceled. While the star has performed throughout his treatment, it’s not yet clear what his schedule will look like moving forward.
Keith’s publicist, Elaine Schock, told The Hill some of the singer’s tour dates will be canceled but noted she is not sure how many will ultimately be removed.
The “Red Solo Cup” star was met immediately with an outpouring of support from fans, fellow country music entertainers, and celebrities:
As Fox News reported, Keith has been a longtime advocate for those facing cancer diagnoses.
In 2004, he founded Ally’s House, a nonprofit assisting Oklahoma children with cancer and their families. The group was inspired by Allison Webb, the 2-year-old daughter of Keith’s original band member Scott Webb and his wife Lisa. Allison passed away from kidney cancer in 2003, just shy of her third birthday.
Keith then launched the Toby Keith Foundation in 2006 to further advocate for pediatric cancer patients.
His foundation opened the OK Kids Korral in 2014. The facility is a cost-free and joy-filled home for pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment at the Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center.
Please be in prayer for Keith, his wife Tricia Lucus, their three children — Krystal, Shelley, and Stelen — and their loved ones as they navigate the singer’s treatment and recovery.
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