Figure skater Piper Gilles has ovarian cancer; goalie Heinz Lindner has testicular cancer; cyclist Jan Polanc retires ("heart irregularities"); cricketer Heath Streak treated for cancer

Golfer Michael Hendry diagnosed with leukemia; footballer goes into cardiac arrest in Liverpool, saved by opposing player; Aussie footballer goes into cardiac arrest mid-game, rushed to hospital

CANADA

Figure skater Piper Gilles reveals she has been treated for Stage 1 ovarian cancer

May 8, 2023

Canadian figure skater Piper Gilles says she has been treated for Stage 1 ovarian cancer.

Gilles made the announcement Sunday in a video on Instagram and promised more details on an upcoming television appearance on The Social. Gilles and ice dance partner Paul Poirer had missed several competitions this past figure skating season after she had her appendix removed in January.

She revealed in her video post the procedure was more complex than she had originally disclosed and included removing her left ovary.

"So when I went in for surgery, I actually did have to get my appendix out as a precaution because we weren't sure what type of tumour was inside of me, on my left ovary," said Gilles, speaking directly to camera. "So I wanted to tell you that I wasn't completely lying. Our team basically wanted to protect myself and protect Paul."

Gilles and Poirier started the 2022-23 figure skating season strong, winning gold at Skate Canada in October, the Grand Prix of Espoo in November, and the Grand Prix Final in December. They then took a medical leave of absence so Gilles could address her cancer, and returned to win bronze at the world championships in Saitama, Japan, in late March.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/piper-gilles-ovarian-cancer-figure-skater-1.6835845

UK

Liverpool: Footballer hit by cardiac arrest saved by opposition player

May 4, 2023

John Harkin says he does not remember collapsing shortly after heading the ball

An amateur footballer who collapsed during a match after a cardiac arrest has thanked an opposition player, who is a nurse, for saving his life. John Harkin, 35, was told his heart stopped for 27 minutes at the Old Xaverians vs Larkin game in Childwall, Liverpool in March. Larkin centre-half Alex Megias, who works at Aintree Hospital, ran over and put him in the recovery position.

He performed CPR and asked others to fetch the on-site defibrillator. Mr Harkin was taken to hospital and put in an induced coma for two days. "The fact that I woke up after such a long time and got full brain function is a miracle so I'm very, very grateful for being given a second chance," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

Link

AUSTRIA

Austria goalkeeper undergoes surgery after testicular cancer diagnosis as he releases emotional statement

May 16, 2023

AUSTRIA goalkeeper Heinz Lindner has undergone successful surgery after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The 32-year-old received swift treatment after a malignant tumour was detected.

Lindner, who plays his club football for FC Sion, subsequently took to social media to update fans on his condition.

He wrote: "Unfortunately I have to tell you that this season is over for me at FC Sion and in the national team.

"I was recently diagnosed with a tumour in my left testicle. You can certainly imagine that this diagnosis hit me hard.

"I had an operation a few days ago, which went very well. I would like to thank the team at the Hospital Riviera-Chablais in Rennaz and especially Dr. Joelle Deriaz and Dr. Thank Thomas Tawadros.

"Thank God the malignant tumour was recognised in time and had not yet spread. I have decided to deal openly and honestly with my illness, also to prevent any speculation about my state of health.

"I ask you to respect that I will not make any further statements about my illness. I want to fully focus on getting healthy again in the coming weeks.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed that both the Austrian national team and FC Sion will play the upcoming games positively without me and I'll be rooting for them as a fan.

"I'm looking forward to being completely fit and ready to play again next season. Thank you for your understanding and stay healthy. to be completely fit and ready for action again next season.”

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/8132375/heinz-lindner-austria-goalkeeper-cancer-surgery/

SLOVENIA

Heart irregularities force Jan Polanc, 31, to retire from professional cycling

May 22, 2023

Slovenian rider Jan Polanc has retired from professional cycling after routine cardiac scans revealed irregularities which presented risks to Polanc's continued participation in the WorldTour. Pro cyclists racing within UCI WorldTeam and ProTeams are required to undertake full cardiac screenings every season as part of article 13.3.015 of the UCI's regulations – requiring a resting electrocardiogram, while a more in-depth doppler echocardiogram and stress electrocardiogram are required on a biannual basis. The measures were put in place to mitigate the risk of sudden cardiac death during sporting activity, with cycling being considered a particularly high-risk activity for those with cardiac irregularities which may present no concerns in everyday life. Polanc's issues came up last winter as routine heart scans showed irregular patterns. Whilst there is no immediate danger to the 31-year-old's well-being, the demands of elite-level cycling and the risk of competition have been deemed too severe for the Slovenian to continue racing.

Link

ZIMBABWE

Heath Streak being treated for cancer, but 'remains in good spirits'

May 14, 2023

Heath Streak, Zimbabwe's most celebrated allrounder and a former captain, is undergoing treatment for cancer.

"Heath has cancer and is undergoing treatment under one of the most respected oncologists in South Africa," his family said in a statement. "He remains in good spirits and will continue to fight this disease in a similar vein to that which his opponents faced during his revered days on the cricket field.

"The family hopes that you understand and respect their wish for this to remain a private family matter, and thank you for your prayers and good wishes. There will be no further official statements regarding his health at this time. Any news that becomes public should be regarded as rumour."

https://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/37645629/heath-streak-being-treated-cancer-remains-good-spirits-family-statement

AUSTRALIA

Local footy match abandoned after 26 yo player taken to hospital due to mid-game cardiac arrest

April 24, 2023

Jojo Ofosu-Amaah went into cardiac arrest during a game. Picture: @keysboroughfnc on Instagram

Victoria, Australia - Jojo Amaah - 26 - A football game in Victoria’s southern suburbs was called off and a player sent to hospital on the weekend after he went into cardiac arrest mid-match, with trainers from both teams received praise for their lifesaving actions. A teammate of the 26-year-old then raced over to remove his mouth guard as Rhiannon Smith and Briesha Bormann — the trainers for Keysborough and Skye respectively — raced onto the field to perform CPR. A volunteer then grabbed a defibrillator from the bar area at the venue but it was defective, with a second one from the trainer’s rooms sourced.

Link

NEW ZEALAND

Tour Pro Withdraws From 151st Open After Leukaemia Diagnosis

May 15, 2023

When Michael Hendry came runner-up to Taichi Kho in March’s World City Championship in Hong Kong, the New Zealander seemed set to make his third appearance in The Open as it earned him playing privileges for the Royal Liverpool tournament.

However, the World No. 449 has now revealed he has been diagnosed with leukaemia, meaning he will no longer take part in the final men’s Major of the year.

Hendry revealed his diagnosis on Instagram. The 43-year-old posted an image of his player’s badge for the 151st Open along with a statement that began: “Earning these doesn't come easy and I was so excited to earn qualification to this year's Open Championship, but alas I will no longer be able to compete this year.”

https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/tour-pro-withdraws-from-151st-open-after-leukaemia-diagnosis