'I've lived the life of 10 men': Rockstar refuses cancer treatment following terminal diagnosis
Updated . First published at
The lead singer of UK metalcore band The Wildhearts has accepted the cards he's been dealt with grace.
Ginger Wildheart, 61, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer but has shockingly refused treatment, owing to having "lived the life of 10 men" throughout his over 35-year career.
While Wildheart has been given around two-to-three years to live, he says he "intends to be rocking until the very last moment."
Rock star Ginger Wildheart is refusing treatment for his terminal cancer, saying he's "lived the life of 10 men". Getty
In a statement released on the band's social media, The Wildhearts revealed the singer had been "experiencing severe pains" that had forced him to take short breaks from stage periodically.
Determined to avoid concerning their loyal fanbase at shows, Wildheart had taken painkillers to ensure the "rock 'n' roll was delivered, without missing a riff."
Behind the scenes, away from the tour, he sought medical tests and investigations to establish the root cause of the ongoing issue.
When the results of these tests came back, it was bad news. Wildheart was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), a rare but aggressive strain of cancer.
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The frontman of metalcore band The Wildhearts intends to continue on releasing music in the time he has left. Getty
But the band was quick to insist "Ginger is in fine fettle" and "continuing to write songs" during this time.
The songs in question are set to be released both through the band – and as solo projects.
The statement then advised fans all planned shows "WILL go on" as normal, despite the sad news.
Following an outpouring of love and support, Wildheart took to social media to thank fans for their response, but broke the news that he had no plans to receive treatment.
"Thanks for all your messages of support. I won't go through treatment," he revealed.
"I've lived the life of ten men and will die with dignity. Still got 2-3 years to say goodbye to everyone. And I'll be rocking until the very last moment."
"No misery please. Positivity all the way," the star concluded the statement.
This news comes just five months after tragedy last rocked the metalcore outfit, with the loss of bandmember Gerard 'Scott Sorry' Engelter late last year.
The singer-songwriter had been diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2018, but had "outlived doctors' expectations," turning a life expectancy of months to years in the wake of the shock news.
The band are set to appear at a number of upcoming events and gigs, including the Takedown Festival in Portsmouth and gigs in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh.
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