Scary news came out of Major League Soccer offices on Saturday, as it was announced that league commissioner Don Garber has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 56-year-old Garber, was named MLS’ second league commissioner in 1999 and has been at the helm ever since. In the 15 seasons he has been with Major League Soccer, he has overseen immense growth. Among the biggest changes to the league have been mass expansion (12 teams when Garber began, 21 by next season with at least two other teams on the way), the construction of soccer-specific facilities, and the introduction of the Designated Player Rule.
Don Garber is undergoing treatment in New York City, where doctors believe he will have a full recovery. Garber plans to continue managing the league during his course of his treatment. He has begun treatment at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, which will be followed by surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
“Obviously no one wants to hear that they have cancer,” Garber said in a statement. “However, I am being treated by exceptional doctors at two of the top hospitals in the world and am confident, as are they, that the prostate cancer will be successfully treated, with a full recovery. I plan on keeping a normal schedule and will continue managing the league and Soccer United Marketing during my course of treatment. With the support of my family, friends, colleagues and doctors, I am feeling very strong, energized and extremely focused.
“Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. It will affect one in seven men during their lifetime.” Garber added. “I hope through my experience that I will be able to create awareness of prostate cancer and encourage men to get regular testing, the surest way to ensure a successful outcome for those who get the disease.”
There is no word yet as to whether Don Garber will forego a special event in Atlanta (believed to be the announcement of the city being awarded an expansion franchise) on April 16th.
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