Daniel Norris announces he has thyroid cancer
Social media has given athletes another platform to share thoughts and views with the world. On Monday, Daniel Norris used it to inform us he’s going through one of the toughest battles of his life.
After debating whether or not to make it public, Norris announced he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer via his Instagram account. Here’s what the 22-year-old pitcher wrote.
I’ve been debating for months as to how or even if I should share this with people.
I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer. So now, I’m asking for prayers. – A few months ago, after I was optioned to AAA, I found out I had a growth on my thyroid. Flying back & forth from Toronto to Buffalo after pitching to have more and more tests done it was finally concluded that the growth is considered malignant.. Meaning it contained the C word.. cancer.
Hearing this was alarming, yea. Weird, yea, that too. I was given the option to shut my year down & get it removed immediately. However, seeing another doctor that determined I could wait until the end of the season reassured my gut feeling. Just Keep Playing. Baseball kept me sane. Regardless of results on the field, I forgot about it when I was between the lines. Afterall, I was just trying to get the heck out of AAA. & I did. I was revived with an opportunity, a blessing from God, with the Tigers back in the Big Leagues. So yea, the power of prayer.. It got me through this season.
Now that it’s over it’s time to get this thing out, so please keep me in your thoughts & prayers as I undergo surgery & come out 100% cancer free! As always,,, #justkeeplivin
Earlier this year, Norris became known as the guy who lived in a 1978 Volkswagen van during spring training. He began the season with the Blue Jays, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five April starts. In July, Norris was traded to the Tigers in the deal that saw David Price head the other way. Norris started eight games for the Tigers and pitched to a 3.68 ERA while compiling a 2-1 record.
Upon hearing the news, players from around Major League Baseball began sending their well wishes.
Want to send my prayers to my friend @DanielNorris18 your faith,positive energy&no give up attitude will allow you to beat cancer #jklivin
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) October 19, 2015
Prayers with you and your family from the Jones family https://t.co/qSq8s4vgOA
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) October 19, 2015
LBS would also like to extend our wishes to Daniel Norris and his family during this difficult time.
Photo via: Instagram/danielnorris18
