The Philadelphia Flyers forward was drafted 138th over in 2014 and made his debut for the team in 2018. The Swedish native was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer, Ewings sarcoma, on December 13th 2019. The 23 year old underwent chemotherapy as the team announced he would miss the entire 2019-20 season. On July 2nd, 2020 Lindblom finished his cancer treatment and rang the bell signaling the start of his remission. Lindblom was gaining confidence in his goal scoring at the professional level before his cancer diagnosis, scoring 11 goals in 30 games and totaling 18 points.
What is Ewings Sarcoma?
Ewings sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in bone or soft tissue. The most common areas where this cancer begins are the legs, pelvis and chest wall. The cause of the cancer still remains unknown, although doctors know that Ewings sarcoma begins when a cell develops changes in its DNA.
Symptoms:
- Fevers
- Anemia
- Leukocytosis
- Swelling
- Tenderness/Bone Pain
Research shows that this kind of cancer is more commonly found in males than females, and that it most often occurs in teenagers and young adults. This kind of cancer is extremely rare, with it affecting 1 in a million people in the U.S per year. The survival rate is positive, with a five year survival rate at 76%.
Hockey Players Who Battled Cancer
Oskar Lindblom isn’t the only hockey player that battled a cancer diagnosis in his career. These are some hockey players that have battled cancer throughout their career.
- Brian Boyle: The then New Jersey Devil was battling chronic myelogenous leukemia, which is a cancer of the white blood cells, when he scored his first goal with the Devils on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in 2017. It was also his first game with the Devils. As of 2018, Boyle is cancer free.
- Phil Kessel: In 2006 Kessel was diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer when he was 20 years old. A few days later, Kessel was announced cancer free.
- Saku Koivu: The Finnish player was diagnosied with Burkitt’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system, in 2001. He was expected to miss the entire season, but surprised everyone and make a return for the last few games of that season. He was awarded an eight minute standing ovation when he skated onto the ice. He has since been in remission and was featured in Simple Plans music video “Save You”.
- John Cullen: The Ontario native’s NHL career came to a halt in 1997, when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after doctors found a baseball sized tumor in his chest. He was declared cancer free after an 18 month battle and attempted a comeback in 1998, but ultimately retired as a player to become an assistant coach for his last NHL team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Mario Lemieux: Super Mario was diagnosed with Hodgikin’s lymphoma in 1993. He missed two months of action and on the day of his last treatment, he flew back to play with his team, scoring a goal and an assist. He recived a standing ovation from the Flyers crowd, while playing for the Penguins, which is something unheard of given the Pennsylvania hockey rivalry.
Until Next Time
∼RJ
Hybrid Theory Thoughts Blog 