“I couldn’t just leave her,” Udonis Haslem, who refused the Dallas Mavericks’ enticing offer just to stay close to his mother admitted. The retired NBA player took a comparatively lower offer from the Miami Heat to care for his mother, who was sick at the time. She passed away because of cancer. Haslem lost two more family members to this disease. Just recently, his former teammate Dwyane Wade dropped a shocking revelation. On World Cancer Day, both shared heartfelt messages to motivate people.

In 2022, Haslem joined Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute to help the HEAT. HELP. CURE. Bounce Back from Cancer™ fundraising initiative in an effort to support the community. In association with the institute, Haslem shared a clip on his Instagram with a message. “Cancer has challenged my family and myself multiple times. Cancer took my father, cancer took my mother, and took my stepmother. So this fight, this cause, is very, very personal to me,” Haslem shared. Wade too shared a cancer awareness post on his Instagram Story.

The Heat legend has always openly spoken about his mother, Debra Haslem’s absence during his childhood. Debra’s battle with substance abuse made it hard for her to always be present for her son. Haslem was raised by his stepmother, Barbara Wooten, with whom he shared a close bond.

Back in the late 2000s, Haslem finally had the opportunity to reconnect with his mother, but Debra was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and passed away in 2010. His stepmother, Wooten, also suffered from lung cancer. In the clip, he further added, “No matter how tough it gets, we’re fighting for you and we’re fighting with you. There will be a cure someday. I believe that truly in my heart and in my soul. All you need is just a little bit of hope. So we’re doing that right now, giving everybody a little bit of hope. I’m going to continue to push for that.”

As per studies in 2021, the disease claims nearly 10 million deaths. Just a few days ago, Wade shared that he was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2023.

Dwyane Wade spoke about his life changing surgery 

After his retirement, the Miami Heat legend didn’t get a full-body checkup. However, after his father’s surgery, he decided to undergo one. He initially wanted the checkup only for minor health issues, but it turned out to be life-changing.

Speaking on the “The Why With Dwyane Wade,” he explained his stomach issues and a weaker urine stream. During the full body examination, the doctor discovered a tumor in his kidney. It was impossible to determine whether it posed any threats, and the only way to treat it was to remove 40% of his kidney. He chose to proceed with the surgery.

Recalling that time, Wade described it as a difficult period for his family. “I think it was the first time my family, my dad, my kids, they saw me weak. That moment was probably the weakest I’ve ever felt in my life. One thing you never want to do as a man? You never want your family to see you weak,” Wade shared. Not just Wade but several cancer survivors have stressed how full body checkups and early detection can help in treating cancer which claims so many lives every year.