Oscar Chalupsky: South Africa’s Most Decorated Canoe and Surfski Athlete Shares ‘Dire’ Health Update
- South Africa's most decorated surfski athlete Oscar Chalupsky shared alarming blood test results after a recent medical check-up
- Doctors ruled out CAR-T therapy for Chalupsky, who is battling both advanced multiple myeloma and an aggressive secondary skin cancer
- A 'life-saving' immunotherapy drug arrived from abroad on 19 August and is set to be administered at a Cape Town hospital
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Legendary South African surfski athlete Oscar Chalupsky has publicly declared he will not give up his fight for survival after sharing blood test results he described as "dire" with his followers on social media.
Source: Getty Images
The 63-year-old, widely regarded as the most decorated canoeist and surfski paddler in South African history, is simultaneously battling advanced multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, and an aggressive secondary skin cancer. He is currently receiving a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.
Chalupsky's blood results raise alarm
Following a recent medical check-up, the former 12-time World Molokai Surfski Champion shared his results online, revealing critically low levels of platelets, red and white blood cells, haemoglobin and other key blood components.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Despite the alarming results, Chalupsky remained defiant as he addressed his followers from Fish Hoek Beach, stressing that the figures did not reflect how he felt physically or mentally.
He acknowledged that his blood results were extremely concerning and that, on paper, they presented a frightening picture. However, he pointed out that he was still standing at Fish Hoek Beach, discussing the sport's growth, making plans, and looking ahead rather than feeling as though he were at death’s door.
Chalupsky added that while the numbers were worrying, his spirit remained strong. He vowed to stay positive, continue fighting and maintain his “No Retreat. No Surrender.” attitude.
Last resort drug arrives from abroad
Chalupsky was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019, with doctors initially giving him just six months to live. Since then, the legendary paddler has endured several serious health complications, including sepsis that required hospital treatment, as well as an aggressive secondary form of skin cancer.
Doctors had initially explored CAR-T therapy, an advanced form of immunotherapy that uses genetically modified T cells from the patient to target cancer. However, they ultimately concluded that the advanced stage of Chalupsky’s cancers made him unsuitable for the treatment.
Chalupsky’s remaining treatment option is Talvey, an immunotherapy drug designed to help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells. The treatment, described by those close to him as potentially life-saving, arrived from overseas on Wednesday, 19 August. Chalupsky is due to begin the treatment at a hospital in Cape Town.
The South African sporting icon has also previously made national headlines over his long-running dispute with Discovery Health regarding funding for his cancer treatment.
Rugby legend dies after cardiac arrest
Briefly News also reported that a rugby legend passed away at the age of 68, a few days after suffering cardiac arrest.
The rugby icon was unable to recover despite medical efforts to revive him after the cardiac arrest incident.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
