The word cancer alone is enough to shake anyone, and our Dwyane Wade was no different. But for him, it wasn’t just about his health. It was about his family, his wife, and his kids. “It was tough for my wife,” he admitted. And honestly? That barely touches on the fear, uncertainty, and suffering they experienced. Now, nearly two years later, Wade finally shared his story on TODAY with Jenna & Friends. He’s opening up about the moment everything changed, the fight to stay strong for his loved ones, and how he found hope in the darkest time of his life.

For a man who’s faced the toughest battles on the court, nothing compares to this. In a January episode of The WY Network Podcast, Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade revealed something deeply personal. He had 40% of his right kidney removed after a shocking cancer diagnosis in December 2023. And now, in an exclusive interview aired March 11 on TODAY, the retired NBA star shared what kept him going during the darkest days.

Wade opened up about the emotional toll, saying, “It was tough for my family and all my friends to see me in that capacity” But what he didn’t expect? The strength they gave him. “They don’t know in that moment that they gave me so much strength that I didn’t know that you know, was capable of someone on the outside giving because I am so prideful.” Through it all, his family and friends became his foundation, holding him together when he needed it most. He acknowledged how difficult it was to accept help, saying, “A lot of us so prideful” But Wade used his experience to send a heartfelt message to his fans, “Let the people in that’s there for you. You have people in your life for a certain reason”. His words serve as a reminder that even the strongest among us need support.

Wade’s battle with cancer tested everything he knew about himself. But one thing was certain: he wasn’t fighting alone. Wade admitted, “I let them in and they took care of me and that’s why I’m here with you. That’s why I feel strong. That’s why I’m cancer-free because I let the ones who love me love me.”

This experience has changed his perspective on life and the importance of community. Wade’s story is a reminder that vulnerability can be a strength and that asking for help doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. But while Wade has shared his journey, there’s another side to this story. What about the love of his life, his wife? What did Gabrielle Union go through when she found out Wade had cancer?

Gabrielle Union opens up about her darkest moment as Dwyane Wade fought for his life

When someone you love is fighting for their life, the fear can be paralyzing. And for Gabrielle Union, hearing the word “cancer” shook her to her core. During the Feb. 27 episode of The View, when host Sunny Hostin asked if Wade was “better now,” Union, 52, answered everyone wanted to hear. “Yes, he’s had the surgery and he’s cancer-free,” she confirmed. But then came the truth that only those closest to the battle truly understand, “It was a challenge.”

The initial diagnosis hit like a freight train. “You hear cancer [and] you’re paralyzed because you think of the absolute worst-case scenario,” Union admitted. She had seen friends survive cancer, but her mind didn’t go there. Instead, she went straight to the unthinkable. “I didn’t go there; I went to ‘he’s gone.” Let that sink in. That’s the depth of fear cancer brings, the way it hijacks your thoughts, your hopes, and your future in an instant.

When Union appeared on TODAY with Jenna & Friends on Feb. 26, she revealed just how devastating that year was for their family. “Obviously, him getting that diagnosis was traumatic for him,” she said. But it wasn’t just about the physical battle, it was about facing mortality in his early 40s. “You’re like, ‘Am I going to be here to see my family? Who am I without this big life? Without this healthy body?’” She said.

That’s the heartbreaking reality. For Wade, it wasn’t just about beating cancer, it was about holding onto the life he built, the people he loved, and the future he dreamed of. For Gabrielle, it was about watching the man she loves fight a battle she couldn’t step in and fight for him. And that? That was the hardest part.