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Brad Arnold, lead singer of the rock band 3 Doors Down, has announced he is battling stage four cancer and is asking fans for their prayers.
In a video shared on the band’s social media channels on Tuesday, Arnold said he had been feeling unwell and sought medical attention. He was diagnosed with clear cell renal carcinoma that has metastasized into his lung.
“I'd been sick a couple of weeks ago and went to the hospital and got checked out,” Arnold told fans in the video. “I actually got the diagnosis that I have a clear cell renal carcinoma that has metastasized into my lung, and that’s stage four, and that's not real good.”
Arnold, who has become increasingly vocal about his Christian faith in recent years, said his beliefs are bringing him peace in the face of the diagnosis.
“But you know what? We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything. So I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all,” he said. “But it is gonna force us to cancel our tour this summer, and we're sorry for that.”
He ended the message with a request to supporters: “I'd love for you to lift me up in your prayers every chance you get, and I think it’s time for me to go listen to ‘It’s Not My Time’ a little bit, right? Thank you guys so much. God loves you. We love you. See you.”
The song “It’s Not My Time” was released by the band in 2008.
In the caption for the video post, Arnold wrote, “This’ll be a battle so we need our prayers warriors!”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. It affects the tubules that filter waste from the blood, and treatment often includes surgery to remove the tumour or the kidney itself.
Tens of thousands show support
Arnold’s announcement has generated an outpouring of support online. The video has received nearly 70,000 reactions and comments in less than 12 hours, with fans, fellow musicians, and Christian artists alike offering encouragement.
Contemporary Christian musician Colton Dixon commented, “I’m believing with you Brad! Healed from the top of your head to the soles of your feet.”
While 3 Doors Down is not a Christian rock band, Arnold has used the band’s platform in recent years to share his personal faith, even taking time during live shows to share the gospel.
The Mississippi-based band formed in 1996 and rose to fame with their 2000 debut single “Kryptonite,” which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Their debut album, The Better Life, became the 11th-best-selling album of that year and earned septuple platinum certification. The band won the American Music Award for Favourite Pop/Rock New Artist in 2001 and received two additional AMA nominations in the early 2000s.