Toby Keith Talks About His Fight With Stomach Cancer For 6 Months
Toby Keith recently disclosed important information regarding his health that saddened his fans. The longtime fan favorite has recently shared that he is battling an illness.
The Oklahoma-born musician shared that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021 and that he has been receiving treatment for the condition ever since.
In a statement through his social media platforms, Keith shared details of the experience. He said, “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
Despite his health battles, Toby was also quick to give a shout-out to fans who know and love him. He said, “I am looking forward to spending time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait. -T.”
It was not immediately clear what the status of Keith’s scheduled performances for the remaining months of this year would be. But according to the information provided on his website, his next concert will take place on June 17 in Wheaton, Illinois.
The site also announced that he released his latest album, “Peso in my Pocket,” just last year after taking time out from touring due to the Covid pandemic.
At the time, he had an interview with PEOPLE about his album. Keith said that he came up with the ideas for the songs on the album while doing his favorite activity – running. He said, “I’d look at the song ideas I had in my phone before I started running, and then I would take off.
The next thing I know, my time would be up, and I’d have been constantly working, grinding gears in my head about the songs. I’d get back and put on my recorder on my phone and I would lay down what I got. ”
He added, “It was a great time for me to write.”
Following Keith’s revelation, the Ohio State Fair confirmed that the show that was scheduled on July 28 in Columbus, Ohio has been postponed.
Keith’s publicist, Elaine Schock, said that some tour dates will be canceled, “but I’m not sure how many at this point.”
Toby Keith is a prominent figure in the music industry. In 2021, Keith was awarded the “National Medal of Arts” which the National Endowment for the Arts describes as “the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government.”
In a statement released in January 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts said: “Toby Keith is a singer, songwriter, musician, and humanitarian who has completed 11 USO Tours to date. He has 32 #1 single.”
Keith released his debut album in 1993 and is known for hits including “Red Solo Cup” and “I Wanna Talk About Me.” His 2002 song “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American),” was released in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks which made him a household name.
Keith has put on hundreds of shows for American service members stationed overseas, including those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has also played at events hosted by Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush.
Keith has long been an advocate for cancer patients. In 2006 he founded the Toby Keith Foundation to provide support for children with cancer. Then in 2014, the foundation opened “OK Kids Korral” which is, according to its website, a cost-free, convenient and comfortable home for pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment.