Super Bowl Player Reflects on Cancer Diagnosis, Congressman Returns to Work After Myeloma Treatment and More

Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers reflected on his cancer experience as he gears up for Super Bowl LVIII.

Five years ago, Trent Williams underwent surgery after being diagnosed with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans — a rare type of skin cancer that starts in the skin’s middle layer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Now the 35-year-old offensive tackle is getting ready to play in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

"When everything happened there [in Washington, regarding his diagnosis], this was a very, very seasoned veteran, a mature guy that understood not just his part but the whole dynamic of everything it took to be successful and what it would take to win to be part of a Super Bowl-winning team," offensive line coach Chris Foerster, said in an interview with ESPN.

With his cancer diagnosis and treatment behind him, Williams is now vying for a Super Bowl win.

"It would be like one of those fairy tales," Williams said to ESPN. "It's like something you can only dream about. It's hard to even describe what that feeling would be like because I've never felt that feeling before. But I imagine it would be a memory that we would remember for life."

“Kick Out the Jams” guitarist died of cancer.

Wayne Kramer, the influential guitarist of counterculture “Kick Out the Jams” pre-punk band the MC5 died Feb. 2 at the age of 75 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The Associated Press reported that Jason Heath, a close friend and executive director of Kramer’s nonprofit Jail Guitar Doors USA, stated that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

Kramer appears on a new MC5 album, “Heavy Lifting,” which is set to be released in the spring, the Associated Press reported in Kramer’s obituary.

Tributes were delivered via X from public figures including singer/songwriter Billy Bragg, who wrote that Kramer “was a revolutionary artist who walked it like he talked it,” while Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band stated that the MC5 “led the way as rock transitioned from its Renaissance to an unrelenting force for righteous political consciousness.”

Kramer, whose organization Jail Guitar Doors provides musical instruments to incarcerated individuals, is survived by his wife, Margaret Saadi, and his son, Francis, according to the Associated Press.

Steve Scalise is returning to work after multiple myeloma treatment.

House Republican Majority Leader, Steve Scalise will be returning to his duties in Washington next week after he underwent treatment for multiple myeloma.

A statement on the congressman’s website announced his return.

“Leader Scalise has successfully completed his autologous stem cell treatment and has been medically cleared to resume travel. He is in complete remission and will be returning to Washington next week for votes. He is thankful for his positive prognosis, and for the support of his medical team, family, colleagues, and fellow Louisianans.”

Scalise was diagnosed with myeloma — which is a cancer of the plasma cells — in August 2023.

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