MLB VP Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Jaxon-Smith Njigba Raises Awareness for Cancer Foundation and More

Major League baseball VP, Billy Bean, revealed his cancer diagnosis.

Billy Bean, former outfielder and Major League Baseball senior VP of diversity, equity and inclusion, announced that he has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

In honor of Bean, the MLB had its winter charity auction with Stand Up To Cancer this past Monday. The charity event honored Bean and Catalina Villegas, the director of diversity, equity and inclusion, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March.

During the event, Torey Lovullo, Bean’s good friend since 1984, spoke about Bean’s diagnosis.

"I know that it's very hard for you right now, Billy, and it's our turn to take care of you," Lovullo said. "You have been the ultimate giver since the day that I've known you. So even though I know it's going to be very tough for you, it's time for you to sit down and let us love you up and take care of you."

Bean, 59, was diagnosed on Sept. 1, but announced that he had kept the diagnosis quiet to Luvollo, as he was focused on the Diamondbacks’ season.

"Like most players, I am very superstitious, so I didn't want to bother Torey with my diagnosis because they were winning," Bean said. "There would be time to tell him later."

The auction took place on Thursday, Dec. 7 and included a meet and greet session with MLB players, alongside raffles to win lunch with a player and tickets to an upcoming game.

Toronto Blue Jays sportscaster, Jamie Campbell showed a pre-skin cancer photo.

Jamie Campbell, known for his role as a sportscaster for the Toronto Blue Jays, discussed why he hasn’t been reporting during this past baseball season: he was being treated for pre-skin cancer.

Campbell, 56, posted a picture on X that showed red blotches from the top of his forehead to his cheek. He announced that this was a result of treatment due to pre-skin cancer.

“It ended up making my face look like I’d been barbecued,” Campbell told TODAY.com. “It was so profound that my network and I just decided it would be best if someone substitute in for me.”

Campbell announced that driving can be damaging to your skin. He noted that his dermatologist had shared that the skin damage came from years of driving, without the use of sunscreen to help.

“I would never, ever have considered putting on sunscreen to drive,” Campbell said.

Campbell went to his dermatologist after realizing a growth on his right temple. What ended in a full body skin check revealed the pre-cancerous skin-growths, the condition being called actinic keratosis.

Campbell was treated in October and the red blotches were removed in 10 days.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Jaxon-Smith Njigba, raised awareness for sarcoma.

Football wide receiver, Jaxon-Smith Njigba, showed customized cleats for theNFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” event that raises awareness for sarcoma Njigba will be honoring his Dallas roots and late friend Ryan Roberson.

Roberson was a teammate to Cannan Smith- Njigba, Jaxon’s brother. The Roberson Little Warrior Foundation, founded in 2020, focuses on finding a cure for childhood cancer.

"Little Warrior Foundation means a lot to me and my family," said Smith-Njigba. "It started a few years ago with my brother's teammate Ryan Roberson. He passed away due to an illness, and they started a foundation. I was able to support it back in high school, and for me to get this opportunity again to support and help raise money for the foundation - it means a lot to me and my family. He had a little brother, Reed, who was a good friend of mine.”

Smith-Njigba discussed how important it is to raise awareness for Little Warrior.

"I think it's just important to raise awareness on things like this," said Smith-Njigba. "If I have an opportunity to just put some cleats on and help - I'm going to do whatever I can to do that. It has a special place in my heart and I'm happy I get to do it."

“Ryan was a special person to me in the community. I remember a lot of times hanging out with him. Just putting smiles on a lot of people's faces; every time he was on the mound was a good day for my brother's team. I just remember him being an exceptional, loving person and a person that blessed a lot of people,” Smith-Njigba stated, according to a press release from the Seattle Seahawks.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.