Ayrton Oneill
Former professional basketball player Will Wise was diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of cancer in November 2022. The 30-year-old, who had played basketball for seven years, had been commuting to work in London when he started experiencing flu-like symptoms. Wise has since undergone multiple surgeries and founded the #CancerBae movement to reshape perceptions of the disease and provide support to other sufferers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Wise |
| Age | 30 |
| Height | 6'9" |
| Shoe size | 15 |
| Diagnosis date | 28 November 2022 |
| Diagnosis location | London |
| Diagnosis method | Tests at hospital |
| Symptoms | Sweating, headache, vomiting blood |
| Cancer type | Stage 4, incurable |
| Cancer subtype | Pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid cancer |
| Cancer location | Thyroid gland, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, liver |
| Treatment | Surgeries, liver biopsy, liver ablation, chemotherapy |
| Career | Professional basketball player |
| Career details | Played for Eastern Mavericks in Australia |
| Post-diagnosis activity | Teaching basketball to teenagers in West London |
| Post-diagnosis activity details | Coaches at Richmond Knights, conducts school sessions in Richmond upon Thames |
| Social media | #CancerBae with 6,000 TikTok followers and 5,000 Instagram followers |
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What You'll Learn
Will Wise's cancer diagnosis
Will Wise, a former professional basketball player, was diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of cancer called pheochromocytoma—a tumour of the adrenal gland which produces an abnormal amount of adrenaline. The 30-year-old, who had played basketball professionally for seven years across Europe and Australia, had his world turned upside down after a morning commute in November 2022.
On that fateful day, Wise, who felt invincible due to his fitness levels, went about his usual routine of working out before heading to work. However, things took a sinister turn when he started sweating profusely and experiencing breathlessness and a pulsing headache. Upon reaching his office, he began vomiting blood and was rushed to the hospital. There, tests revealed he had stage-four medullary thyroid cancer and a separate cancerous tumour in his adrenal gland, known as pheochromocytoma. This rare condition, called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), can cause tumours in various parts of the body, including the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, lips, mouth, eyes, and digestive tract.
The diagnosis came as a shock to Wise, who had not experienced any major health issues before. "I tried to just take it in... The tumour caused my body to effectively shut down as it was producing too much adrenaline. My adrenal levels were 50 times what they should be. The doctors had no idea how I was able to survive such a crisis," he recalled.
In the 14 months since his diagnosis, Wise has undergone extensive treatment, including three surgeries to remove his left adrenal gland, thyroid, parathyroid, and 65 lymph nodes, as well as a liver biopsy. He is now awaiting the removal of his right adrenal gland and liver ablation to kill cancer cells in his liver. Despite the challenging journey, Wise has maintained a positive outlook and is determined to redefine the narrative around cancer. He founded #CancerBae, a movement with thousands of followers across TikTok and Instagram, aiming to reshape perceptions of the disease and provide unwavering support to fellow warriors.
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Cancer treatment and surgeries
Former professional basketball player Will Wise was diagnosed with stage-four cancer in November 2022. The 30-year-old had been commuting to work in London when he began experiencing flu-like symptoms, including heavy sweating, breathlessness, and a pulsing headache. After arriving at work, he started vomiting blood and was rushed to the hospital. There, tests revealed that he had a pheochromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal gland, which had spread to his thyroid gland. This was caused by a rare condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).
Since his diagnosis, Wise has undergone 14 months of treatment, including three surgeries to remove his left adrenal gland, thyroid, parathyroid, and 65 lymph nodes, as well as a liver biopsy. He is now awaiting the removal of his right adrenal gland and liver ablation to kill cancer cells in his liver using heat. Doctors will then monitor his condition to determine whether he will need chemotherapy in the future.
Despite the challenging nature of his diagnosis and treatment, Wise has maintained a positive outlook and has been documenting his journey on social media through his #CancerBae movement, which has gained thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram. He has also founded a charity called CancerBae to aid other people and change the perception of the disease. Through unique fundraising events, the charity aims to disrupt the stigma associated with cancer and provide a different perspective on what living with cancer looks like.
In addition to his advocacy work, Wise has returned to the basketball court to teach youngsters in West London how to play the game. He coaches teenagers at the Richmond Knights and conducts school sessions across the borough of Richmond upon Thames. Through his work with Cancer Research UK, Wise is also helping to support their aim of enabling people to live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
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CancerBae and #CancerBae
Will Wise, a former professional basketball player, was diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of cancer called pheochromocytoma in November 2022. This tumour of the adrenal gland led to a diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), which can cause tumours in various parts of the body, including the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Wise has undergone extensive treatment, including multiple surgeries and a liver biopsy, and is awaiting further procedures.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Wise has taken it upon himself to inspire and educate others through his journey. He founded #CancerBae, a movement with a significant social media presence, to reshape perceptions of cancer and provide support to those facing similar battles. #CancerBae has gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with thousands of followers joining Wise's mission to break the stigma associated with the disease.
Wise, standing at 6ft 9ins, cuts an impressive figure even off the basketball court. He has channelled his energy into coaching teenagers at the Richmond Knights and conducting school sessions across the borough of Richmond upon Thames in West London. Through these endeavours, he hopes to inspire the next generation and share his positive outlook on life, even in the face of adversity.
In his own words, Wise encourages others to "live a good life with cancer" and not let it define them. He aims to create a vibrant and exciting movement that takes away the eerie stigma surrounding cancer. By backing campaigns from organisations like Cancer Research UK, Wise is committed to helping people live longer and better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
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Rare cancer symptoms
Will Wise, a 30-year-old former professional basketball player, was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of cancer called pheochromocytoma, a tumour of the adrenal gland, in November 2022. He had no symptoms before suddenly falling ill on his way to work, when he began sweating profusely, became breathless, and developed a pulsing headache. He then started vomiting blood and was rushed to the hospital, where he received his diagnosis.
Rare cancers can affect any part of the body and have different risk factors, symptoms, and outlooks. They can occur in both children and adults, and some cancers are considered rare because they tend to appear in certain demographic groups more than others. A cancer may also be considered rare if it is harder to diagnose correctly. The National Cancer Institute defines rare cancer as a cancer that affects fewer than 15 people per 100,000 each year.
Some examples of rare cancers include:
- Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer, with around 3,000 new cases in the US each year. The main symptom is a lump developing on skin that receives a lot of sun exposure.
- Thymic carcinoma, a form of cancer that can occur in the outer cells of the thymus, a small organ in the upper chest that creates white blood cells. Thymic carcinoma cells grow quickly and are prone to spreading to other parts of the body, such as the lungs.
- Adrenal cortex carcinoma (ACC), which affects the outer part of the adrenal gland and can lead to the excess production of hormones like cortisol, estrogen, or testosterone. It is very rare, affecting approximately 1 person per 1 million in the United States, and is more common in females.
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a rare form of leukemia that occurs in about 1 out of 100,000 people globally and becomes more common with age, especially in males.
- Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive type of bone cancer that mainly affects children and adolescents, with a slightly higher occurrence in males. Symptoms can include pain and swelling in the area of the tumour, as well as fatigue, fever, and unintentional weight loss.
It is important to note that symptoms of rare cancers can vary greatly depending on the affected organs and tissues. Treatment options often include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but additional therapies or symptom management may also be necessary.
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Cancer stigma and changing the narrative
Cancer stigma is a pervasive issue that can isolate those affected and hinder their ability to seek support and treatment. Will Wise, a former professional basketball player, is battling a rare and incurable form of cancer. He has taken it upon himself to challenge the stigma and redefine the narrative around cancer.
Wise was diagnosed with stage four medullary thyroid cancer and a separate tumour in his adrenal gland, known as pheochromocytoma, in November 2022. This diagnosis came as a shock, as the 30-year-old had no prior symptoms and had maintained a high level of fitness throughout his basketball career. Despite the devastating news, Wise decided to use his platform to inspire others and change the perception of cancer.
He founded the movement #CancerBae, which aims to provide unwavering support to those affected by cancer and raise awareness. Through social media, Wise has accumulated thousands of followers, sharing his positive and hopeful outlook with the world. He wants people to know that "you can live a good life with cancer" and that it "doesn't have to define you." Wise is determined to create a vibrant and exciting movement that removes the eerie stigma associated with the disease.
The stigma surrounding cancer often leads to whispers and a sense of darkness, trauma, and loneliness. Wise aims to disrupt this narrative by showcase a different perspective on living with cancer. He encourages people to focus on their energy and thoughts, believing that a positive mindset can make a significant difference during challenging times. This approach has helped him stay resilient and hopeful during his own cancer journey.
Wise's efforts extend beyond social media, as he has also returned to the basketball court to teach youngsters in West London. By coaching the next generation, he hopes to leave a lasting impact and inspire others to face cancer head-on. His determination to change the narrative is not just about his personal journey but about empowering others to live longer and better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Wise is a former professional basketball player who played for the Eastern Mavericks in Australia. He is 6'9" tall and is originally from Philadelphia, USA.
Will Wise has stage four medullary thyroid cancer and a separate cancerous tumour in his adrenal gland, called pheochromocytoma.
Symptoms of pheochromocytoma include heavy sweating, vomiting blood, headaches, nausea and breathlessness.
Will Wise has undergone three surgeries to remove his left adrenal gland, thyroid, parathyroid and 65 lymph nodes, as well as a liver biopsy. He is awaiting removal of the right adrenal gland and liver ablation.
Will Wise has founded the #CancerBae movement and charity to reshape perceptions of the disease and provide support to other sufferers. He has also been teaching youngsters in West London how to play basketball.
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