Toby Keith revealed earlier today (June 12) that he has been battling cancer and receiving treatment. He announced on Twitter that he has stomach cancer and has spent the last six months receiving various treatments.
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” he wrote, “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family, but I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait,” said Keith in a Twitter post.
Keith started the Toby Keith Foundation in 2006, which is an organization whose efforts help provide no-cost housing for children with cancer. The foundation opened OK Kids Korral in 2014, a completely cost-free home for children with cancer patients while being treated at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma.
Just weeks before revealing his own cancer diagnosis, the “Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic” raised more than $1.38 million for OK Kids Korral.
According to his website, Keith had been scheduled to perform two concerts next week in Illinois and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also had a few concerts scheduled from mid-July to early August. The Ohio State Fair, where Keith had been scheduled to perform on July 28, confirmed that the show had been canceled and ticket holders would be receiving refunds.
“Our hearts go out to Toby Keith as he courageously battles cancer,” the Ohio State Fair tweeted.
Keith is expected to perform at Coachella Crossroads in Coachella, California on November 11.
Toby Keith on Twitter: