55fan 5,133 Report post Posted October 12, 2007 The following was in the Fargo Forum (which serves Jason's hometown of Moorhead, Minn) yesterday. Since the Forum's website is a bastard (in contrast to the actual paper, which I mch prefer), I am just reprinting the article here. If the Forum has a problem with it, I'm sure they'll let me know. Looks very positive. Prayers out to Jason and his family. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake’s rare form of leukemia is highly treatable thanks to its early discovery and should not interfere with him playing hockey, a Fargo oncologist said. The 34-year-old Moorhead native, who played hockey at the University of North Dakota, is slated to face off against his former New York Islanders teammates Thursday when they visit Toronto. Blake announced Monday he has chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML – a slow-growing cancer of the white blood cells. He received the news on Friday following a routine preseason blood test. “The prognosis… is that I will live a long, full and normal life,†Blake said earlier this week. “I’m looking forward to my first season with the Leafs and helping our club compete for the Stanley Cup.†Treatment for CML is “remarkably simple,†said Dr. Preston Steen, an oncologist with Fargo MeritCare’s Roger Maris Cancer Center. Former Moorhead standout Jason Blake, who signed with Toronto this spring, is being treated for a rare form of leukemia. Associated Press RELATED CONTENT Benny Polacca Archive Two oral medications used to treat CML – if discovered during its chronic phase – include Sprycel and Gleevec, which Blake is taking. As long as the medicine works, it’s likely Blake and other CML patients will lead normal lives, Steen said. Drugs such as Gleevec block the protein created by a cancer gene and bring blood cell levels back to normal, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Web site. Gleevec’s side effects can include nausea, muscle cramps and puffiness around the eyes. Steen said a treatment timetable for CML varies. It could take up to a year before a patient goes into remission, he said. CML can strike anyone, old or young, Steen said. It’s “not terribly uncommon†to strike people in their 30s like Blake, he said. CML typically isn’t noticed until it is discovered during a blood test, Steen said. Other symptoms of CML can include weight loss, tiredness, night sweats and an enlarged spleen. About 40,000 people will be diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Of those, 4,570 are expected to be diagnosed with CML. Blake had a breakout year with 40 goals last season with the Islanders. It earned him a five-year contract worth $20 million with the Maple Leafs. Like Blake’s doctors, Steen believes Blake will be able to play while being treated for CML. “Anyone who’s followed Blake’s career knows he’s a tough guy.†The Associated Press contributed to this report Readers can reach Forum reporter Benny Polacca at (701) 241-5504 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted October 12, 2007 It's really sad to see this, just hope he gets better.. Good to see that he can still play hockey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted October 12, 2007 Terrible news, but I'm happy they're saying he should be OK. My prayers are with him and everyone close to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kutcher 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2007 Glad too see it's treatable. Still , thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Blake and his family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
