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Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen Diagnosed with Cancer

Shawn P. O’Connor|
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 3: Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen talks with general manager Neil Olshey before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 3: Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen talks with general manager Neil Olshey before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Paul Allen, owner of the Portland Trail  Blazers, has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the same cancer Allen battled in 2009.

Portland Trail Blazers’ and Seattle Seahawks’ owner Paul Allen announced on Twitter yesterday afternoon that he has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is the second time Allen has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and his third battle with cancer in the 65-year-old’s life.

Allen has begun treatment and plans to fight the disease aggressively, according to his twitter account. His twitter also mentions that his doctors are optimistic that the tech billionaire will see a good result with his treatment.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a form of cancer that starts in a person’s lymphatic system, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tumors develop from a type of white blood cells in a patient’s body, forming primarily in the lymph nodes. NHL spreads through the lymphatic system before spreading to other areas of the body. NHL is more common than Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Allen has also fought Hodgkin’s lymphoma over 35 years ago, successfully beating the disease. Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma differ by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cell. If a cancer cell contains these cells, the lymphoma is classified as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a deadly form of cancer. Of the approximately 75,000 people that will be diagnosed with the disease in 2018, just shy of 20,000 will die. As with all cancers, early detection is key to beating the disease.

If you would like to help in the fight against lymphoma, please consider donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has invested over a billion dollars to blood cancer research, and is dedicated to continue to make an impact and find a cure for blood cancer.

All of us here at the Rip City Project are keeping Paul Allen and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Get well soon, Mr. Allen!