Seven-year-old JP Gibson — former Utah Jazz player, media sensation, cool kid — is battling cancer once again.
If you’ve been following the Utah Jazz in recent years, you already know all about JP Gibson. For the uninitiated, Gibson stole our hearts back in 2014 when he joined Jazz players on the court for an intra-squad scrimmage (as well as the team’s rookie dance-off) at Vivint Arena during his battle with cancer.
As a toddler, Gibson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Despite his fight with the disease, he was able to live out his dream, joining the Jazz on a one-day contract. Here’s Gibson, then age five, enjoying his time with the team —
JP (who shares a birthday with former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan) and his family were in Las Vegas earlier this month to watch the Jazz compete in NBA Summer League action. At the time, his parents told the Deseret News that they were celebrating two years of JP being cancer-free and off of chemotherapy.
However, the former Jazzman announced on Saturday (via a note on his father’s Twitter account), that his cancer has returned —
Just a message from my little cancer fighter and former @utahjazz man. You can follow his journey on Instagram @jpgibsonjr #cancersucks pic.twitter.com/Cgc4gPXZZM
— Josh Gibson (@jjpgibson) July 30, 2017
Following his announcement, people from around Jazz Nation responded with well-wishes for JP. Everyone from Rudy Gobert to former Jazz big man Trevor Booker have shown their support. Even the team’s new starting point guard, Ricky Rubio, is backing the seven-year-old.
Here are just a few of the messages JP has received via social media —
https://twitter.com/rudygobert27/status/891649571872534528
JP stay strong ! Remember #JazzNation is behind you
— Craig Bolerjack (@BuckleUpBoler) July 30, 2017
Prayers up for JP Gibson, hoping everyone does the same tonight #cancersucks
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) July 30, 2017
Let's go JP!!! https://t.co/0ZxOrgi0DJ
— Trevor Booker (@35_Fitz) July 30, 2017
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The most common type of cancer affecting children, ALL results in the bone marrow making too many immature lymphocytes, which is a type of white blood cell. These cells don’t work like normal lymphocytes and are less able to fight infection. The leukemia cells also leave less room in the blood for healthy white and red blood cells and platelets.
All of us here at The J-Notes join Jazz Nation in offering our support to JP and the Gibson Family. They’ve knocked this thing down once already; they can do it again.
Keep fighting the good fight, JP.