In October, 2018, Roman Reigns announced that he had to relinquish his Universal Championship and go fight a different kind of battle.
Addressing a shocked crowd on an episode of RAW, Reigns said that the leukemia which had been in remission for 11 years, was now back. Thankfully, the cancer reached remission stage once again in a few months and The Big Dog was back in the WWE ring in no time.
Reigns talked about his experience to People.com alongside Stephanie McMahon, promoting Connor’s Cure Foundation by WWE.
Roman Reigns on struggle with leukemia
Reigns recalled that finding out about the remission left him in disbelieve and confusion. His girlfriend at the time, now wife, was pregnant with their first child. All things considered, it was an extremely difficult time for him.
“I felt like, why is this happening? I’m healthy, I’m an athlete. I was in the best years of my life, my prime as a young man and my girlfriend, who is now my wife, was pregnant with our first child. I had so much pressure and so much on my plate that it was hard for me to understand.”
But Reigns could pull through the draining ordeal with support from friends and family. That is why he feels it is important to share his story with others who are also struggling.
On working with Connor’s Cure
Shortly after meeting 8-year-old Connor Michalek in 2014, Stephanie McMahon and her husband Triple H established Connor’s Cure for pediatric brain and spinal cord cancer research.
As Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, sending a huge 'thank you' to @WWE's partner hospitals & Seacrest Studios accross the country. What you do every single day, not just this month, changes lives & we are so happy to partner with you to bring smiles to faces!
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) September 30, 2020
As part of the campaign, WWE Superstars have often interacted with young cancer patients across the country.
But for Reigns, it is more than just a contractual obligation.
“I really just try to stress that we’re all in this together, that they’re not alone, though it can sometimes feel that way — especially being in the hospital at a time like this. By sharing my story, I think it’s a chance for them to see somebody who’s been through somewhat of a similar situation — someone who has been knocked down and had to pick themselves up — and reached victory on the other side.”
Reigns knows from first-hand experience how important support can be during these times – emotional as well as financial.
“If you’re in a position to be to help and to be able to provide that support, you should absolutely pay it forward. I can tell you from real-life experience, that support is so crucial.”
Connor’s Cure has raised more than $3.5 million since its founding according to WWE. Reigns, who is now having a great run as the Tribal Chief, also works with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
