Get well, Craig Sager.
That's the message fans and sports media members are sending following the announcement that Sager, a famed sideline reporter for TNT, is no longer in remission for leukemia. The admission came by way of HBO's Real Sports program, which aired Tuesday evening.
Sager's battle with the disease has been well documented. This time, doctors have said that if he goes without treatment, he will have only about "three to six months" to live, according to a statement released by Sager.
#CraigSager releases statement on the @RealSportsHBO segment & the 3-6 months to live prognosis #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/rGKhIDP2pS— Chris Bennett (@chrisgb00) March 23, 2016
The revered sportscaster was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in October 2014, and stepped down from his post shortly after. After an aggressive course of chemotherapy, he returned (and was enthusiastically welcomed back) to TNT in March. However, that comeback was all too brief. Just a few weeks later, doctors informed him that his cancer had returned.
With support from his family and fans, Sager kept fighting. In July 2015, doctors performed a bone marrow transplant and stem cell treatment after a donation by Sager's son, Craig Jr. All was well until February 2016.
“I haven’t won the battle,” he said on Real Sports . “It’s not over yet. But I haven’t lost it either. There have been some victories, some setbacks. But I still have to fight it, I still have a lot of work to do."
The sportscaster has been reporting from the sidelines since the 1970s, and many fans say they have grown up watching him. There has been a mountain of support on Twitter, where people are asking for prayers and sending comforting words.
My prayers goes out to one of the best to ever do it Craig Sager!! Please Stay Strong. #CancerSucks— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 22, 2016
PRAYERS OUT TO CRAIG SAGER AND HIS FAMILY!! #FIGHTONMRSAGER #NBAFAMILY— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) March 22, 2016
Thoughts and prayers for Craig Sager and his family. Keep on fighting man. #prayforsager— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 22, 2016
Pray for the swag daddy Craig Sager— Boss Don Wavito (@ImTheWavyOne) March 23, 2016