Ronnie Pratt assures fans that his cancer diagnosis is merely a “road collision.”
The 62-year-old Kansas lead singer shared on Facebook on Saturday that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but he told his followers there was no reason to worry.
“There’s a 99% survival rate before everyone gets excited and it won’t spread,” Pratt wrote. “It’s in the thyroid gland. You need to remove the thyroid gland. After some time of rehabilitation, go back to the saddle.”
He continued, “I have absolutely amazing people who will go to the bat for me! This is just a bump in the road and I’m right behind me, as it was placed on me! So please keep on going!”
“Inside Edition” Viewertold Deborah Norville checks for thyroid cancer. How do you find it?
Do you need a break? Play USA Today Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The announcement comes after the group rescheduled a pair of shows “for band illness and doctor advice” last week. The concert, set for February 14th in Katosa, Oklahoma, moved to November 21st, with the February 15th show in Durant, Oklahoma being postponed until November 22nd.
“The band apologizes for the inconvenience and hopes to return to the path soon,” reads the announcement on the Kansas Instagram page.
After Pratt shared news of his diagnosis, the rock band said Tuesday that they also cancelled their March 1 show in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and once again cited the group’s illness. The show scheduled for February 21st in New Orleans has also been cancelled.
“Our goal is to get back on the road as quickly as possible,” assistant band manager Jr Rees told Ultimate Classic Rock. “Now, we’re all focused on supporting Ronnie through this.”
Alexis Ohanianhad surgery “highly likely to become cancerous” thyroid nodule removed
According to Mayo Clinic, thyroid cancer occurs when “thyroid cells develop DNA changes,” and there are multiple types depending on what cells are found in the tumor. Most types of thyroid cancer are “very curable” and treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and radioiodine therapy at each Cleveland clinic.
Pratt was Kansas’ lead singer since 2014 after Steve Walsh retired. He previously stood at the forefront of the group shooting star.