Charles Kelley, a member of the country music trio Lady A, has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. The announcement came after Kelley sought medical attention for what were initially believed to be fractured ribs.
Kelley, 45, shared the news via an Instagram video on Tuesday, accompanied by his wife, Cassie McConnell. He explained that preliminary tests for his rib injuries led his doctor to order further blood tests, which ultimately revealed the cancer. "One of the last blood tests we did, they found a blood cancer in there called multiple myeloma," Kelley stated in the video.
Multiple myeloma is defined by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation as a cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow. Despite the diagnosis, Kelley expressed optimism about his health and the advancements in treatment. "It’s rare, but I’m young," he said. "I feel healthy, and the treatments, I will say, have just come so far even in the past five years that even life expectancy just far exceeds what it used to be."
He indicated that the initial six months of treatment are not expected to be overly invasive and that he anticipates feeling physically like himself, though acknowledging there will be challenging days. Kelley also expressed his desire to continue working throughout his treatment. He plans to keep his followers updated on his health journey, similar to his previous openness about his sobriety.
Kelley's bandmates, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood, offered their support in the comments of his Instagram post. "Love y'all. We’re all here for you," Haywood wrote, while Scott added, "The strongest duo right there! Love y’all so much! You’ve got this! ❤️."
Kelley joined Lady A, formerly known as Lady Antebellum, in 2006. The band previously postponed their tour in August 2022 to support Kelley's sobriety journey, which he marked as a four-year milestone in July.