Ethan Zohn's cancer battle

Ethan was always one of my favorite Survivors!!

If you won a million dollars would you use it to change the world for the better?

Ethan Zohn, a professional soccer player and winner of the third season of CBS’s hit reality television show “Survivor: Africa” spoke to Alfred University faculty and students and members of the public about how he has.

After “Survivor,” Zohn, 35, used the million dollars he won to co-found Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit organization that trains professional soccer players to educate African children about the prevention of AIDS.

The choice to start fighting the dreaded disease was easy for Zohn.

“My experience playing professionally in Zimbabwe and seeing how this disease destroyed the community I was a part of,” he said. “My close friend Milton dying of AIDS made me want to change the way things are.”

Soccer is the most popular sport in Africa and children in the country idolize and revere professional players. Grassroot Soccer trains professional soccer players to act as peer educators who participate in after school programs and activity-based curriculum. Since the organizations start in 2002 over 285,000 children have graduated from the program from 15 African countries.

After stumping the audience by asking how many people in the world die each day from AIDS, Zohn told the audience about 9,000 succumb to the illness.

“Our goal is to change their behavior, so we target 11- to 14-year-old kids,” Zohn said. “At that age, they are HIV-negative and just starting to think about sex so It’s the perfect time to intervene with the right message and just really teach them to live healthily and change their behavior,” said Zohn.

For Zohn, changing the world is easier with a million dollars, but also plausible for each and every human being that tries to do so. He presented the crowd with motivational messages about how to be the best person one can be. Among his tips where to build good character, seek leadership and teaching roles in life and become active community members.

“Make a difference to yourself by making a difference to others,” said Zohn.

Zohn understands his reality television stardom is a major factor to his foundations’s success.

“I think we would have gotten to the point we are now, but it would have taken us a lot longer, but the celebrity thing definitely helped. I mean, in Survivor All-Stars I wore a Grassroot Soccer tee-shirt. Twenty million people a week got to see that, right? This great quote by Bono said ‘Celebrity is a bit ridiculous, but its currency,’ you know, and I’m spending mine here. I have a short window. It’s 15 minutes. It’s my time in the spotlight and I’m trying to use it for something good. I’ll do a magazine if I can show up with a Grassroot tee-shirt ... I use the celebrity as a platform and it has definitely helped,” he said.

A three-on-three soccer tournament to “Kick AIDS in Africa” was held Saturday morning in the AU McLane Gym to raise money for Zohn’s foundation.

“He definitely hit home with a lot of stuff that he said, like being selfless and spreading the wealth ... you have to keep in mind to do things for the good of everyone,” said freshman James Chrabaszcz.

“I really enjoyed hearing him speak. It was inspirational,” said Alyssa Fuller of Alfred Station.
Zohn said his organization has paid outside companies to compile data on Grassroot Soccer’s impact, which shows the result has been very positive.

Not only did Zohn put his money where his mouth is, he put his soccer skills to the test. In August, he embarked on a world record 550 mile journey dribbling a soccer ball from Boston to Washington. The trip took him 100 days and wearing through five pairs of shoes and six soccer balls.

After graduating from Vasser College in Poughkeepsie, Zohn played professional soccer for the Cape Cod Crusaders, Hawaii Tsunami and Zimbabwe Highlanders. He was also a sideline analyst and commentator for ESPN radio and MSG Network’s “Soccer Report.”

For more information about Grassroot Soccer, visit www.grassrootsoccer.org.

Survivor's Ethan Zohn Has Cancer

Ethan Zohn, the curly-haired soccer player who battled the elements and outwitted opponents to win Survivor: Africa, is facing his toughest adversary yet: cancer.

On April 30, Zohn was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's disease. The diagnosis came after months of unexplained itching and night sweats, originally thought to be a skin condition. Doctors discovered a swollen lymph node under his left clavicle, and a CT scan revealed a mass on the left side of his chest. Then, just last week, Zohn learned he is suffering from a rare form the disease called CD20-positive Hodgkin's Lymphoma, for which he began chemotherapy last Friday.

"This is the ultimate game of Survivor," Zohn, 35, tells PEOPLE exclusively, "and there's really only one outcome, and that's to win. There's no other option."

Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the body's lymphatic system with survival rates reaching as high as 90 percent. Zohn was told that the CD20 diagnosis, which affects around five percent of all Hodgkin's patients, has a similar cure rate, but is treated with an altered, more aggressive, three-month chemotherapy regimen. "They're going right after this," he says.

The chemo is expected to knock the always active and otherwise fit Zohn mostly out of commission for a few months, with nausea and weakness among its side effects. And he's expected to lose his famous mop of hair within two weeks.

Zohn's longtime girlfriend, Survivor: The Amazon winner Jenna Morasca, 27, is vowing to be at his side throughout the process. "I will fight with every fabric of my being to get him through this," Morasca tells PEOPLE.


Educating, Inspiring Others
Both Zohn and Morasca lost parents to cancer. Zohn's father died of colon cancer when Ethan was 14. Morasca's mother died in 2003, after a 12-year battle with breast cancer. "Our only point of reference with this situation is death," says Morasca.

Upon hearing the diagnosis, says Zohn, "My life flashed before my eyes." But in the roller coaster of emotions that followed, Zohn came to a conclusion: He wants to use his battle with cancer as way to educate and inspire others.

"This is happening for a reason," he tells PEOPLE. "You have to get spiritual about this [stuff]. I know I want to help people and inspire people. That's my purpose in life. So I need to use this as a platform."

Zohn, who has worked to raise money and awareness for AIDS relief in Africa through his Grassroot Soccer charity ever since winning Survivor's $1-million prize in 2002, had his first chemo treatment in Manhattan last Friday. Doctors inserted a small, octagonal port in his chest through which the chemo will be administered "like a fast-filling station" every two weeks. "It looks like I have a third nipple right now," says Zohn. "You can call me trip-nip!"

He'll face the loss of his hair with the same bravado. "My hair is my identity," he admits. But rather than find "long, disgusting Ethan Zohn hair all over my house," he's decided to shave it off in the next few days: "I'll get a mohawk or something fun that I've always wanted to do."

That's just fine with Morasca. "I so love the bad-boy look," she says. "I'd have him get a tattoo and a nose piercing, too, but he's not into it."

Bad-boy looks or not, Zohn says he feels well-prepared for the long fight ahead. "I've got good family and friends, and I'll roll with the punches as it comes to me. That's how I work in life. I'll take it on like a real game of Survivor," he says, adding: "I'm not getting voted out of this one."

Ethans facebook!
Ethan Zohn Check me out on Larry King Live Tuesday night with Katie Couric.6 minutes ago ·

I think I am going to check it out. For those of you who dont know, Ethan is battling cancer. Ethan has always been one of my favorite Survivors of all time. I truly hope he beats this

Ethans appearance on Larry King has been rescheduled until next week. I'll post the day and time as soon as Ethan does...lol

From Ethans facebook:

Ethan Zohn Its official, Larry King tonight at 9pm with Katie Couric. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/

oh cool, I'll check it out... I liked Ethan on Survivor - he wasn't sickening!

Quote :

he wasn't sickening!

LMAO! I love when we gauge how much we like someone on how sickening they were! And YES, Ethan was not sickening!

Did you guys see the special on the TV Guide channel..Survivor: Millionaires Where Are They Now?

I did see it listed Colton but havent watched it. Have you?? If so, anything good to report on past winners?

My mama DVR-ed it for me. Parv has spent the least amount of money of any of the winners. She's taken a trip to Peru, and she has started a girls boxing organization to help teach young girls how to properly defend themselves. I absolutely adore her! I'll post the video she's in one sec.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be122Jgy3xg

2:35 <3

I was really excited to get to catch up with all the winners. It was great to see Aras, Amber, and Parv <3

Well Good to see my boy Boston Rob again as well as Yul and Earl...Rob was talking about his reality show...I I'm surprised he is still talking about it since it hasnt gone on air...His Show was the 1st Reality Show I ever auditioned for and I actually got a call back...I pulled out after realizing that I would actually give up everything and starting out my life without anything wouldn't be cool...so here is a trailer of Tontine the show that Rob is connected with...

whatever happened to his show Tontine? Was it not able to come up with the 10 million to pay out?

From Ethans facebook:



Ethan Zohn I'll be live on ESPN News today at around 3:05pm. Stand Up 2 Cancer will hopefully get 2 million bucks from MasterCard at the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby.

48 minutes ago · Comment · LikeUnlike


You just gotta love Ethan. He's still gorgeous without his head of curly hair and every picture of him he just has this huge smile on his face. In light of what he is going through, you have to admire him for that.

From Ethans facebook! This is good news! So happy for Ethan. I couldnt post the video here but its certainly worth a look. He is with Jenna Morasco his girlfriend and fellow Survivor winner and he calls him Mom on the video to tell her that the chemo is working.

Ethan Zohn ChemHO is working!!!!!! Test results are back. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20291536,00.html

I know its Big brother season but I think this guy is amazing! This is from his facebook.




Ethan Zohn Big article on my battle with cancer in this weeks People Magazine. I'm so excited I can use this negative situation and turn it into a positive one. Make sure you pick up a copy.

Ethan Zohn Begins New Treatment "My Cancer is back"


"I've never really been this scared for my life," Ethan Zohn says in his latest video diary. Sitting in a hospital room, the Survivor winner taped the piece as he was about to start his first new round of chemotherapy – since learning that the first three months of chemo aimed at knocking out his Hodgkin's lymphoma wasn't enough.

"The cancer is back ... and it's trying to destroy me," Zohn says. "But I'm not going to let that happen."

Zohn describes in detail the gravity of the new treatment he's about to endure – starting with more chemotherapy, followed by a harvesting of his healthy stem cells; a series of radiation treatments twice a day, everyday, for two weeks; and finally a full stem-cell transplant.

Of the final leg of what he describes as the "triathlon" of treatment, he explains, "They lock me up in the hospital for 30 days and they pretty much destroy my body, get all the blood cells out of my body, and then they'll reintroduce my stem cells and build me back up to perfect health."

The process will require he be kept in full isolation until his immune system is rebuilt.

"For all you Seinfeld fans out there, I will officially be 'The Bubble Boy'!" Zohn jokes.

Striving to remain as upbeat as possible, Zohn says, "I'm gonna need to hijack all your thoughts, your prayers and well-wishes for the next seven to 12 months."

"I get so much comfort knowing that we're all fighting this together," Zohn says, directing his thoughts to PEOPLE.com viewers. "Please everyone, stay positive, and keep a good sense of humor. And that's about it," he adds, before putting a protective mask on his face to begin his first new round of chemotherapy.


I couldnt embed the video but here is the link. Check it out please. Said it before, Ethan is just amazing and I hope he beats this.


http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20309408,00.html

Survivor's Ethan Zohn Gets Good News in His Cancer Battle



Ethan Zohn received an early present this holiday season: a clear PET Scan.

The full-body scan performed by his doctors in Manhattan Tuesday confirmed that five weeks of radiation treatments just completed by the Survivor: Africa winner have done their job. For the first time since his battle with a rare form of Hodgkin's disease began last April, there are now no active cancer cells in his body.

"If I walked in off the street today, they would think I'm cancer free," says Zohn, 36, who has chronicled his struggle on PEOPLE.com. "This is the best possible news I could have gotten at this stage of my journey.

"I honestly believe that all the positive healing vibes everyone has been sending me these past nine months have helped," Zohn says, "so thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart."


Stem-Cell Transplant
As wonderful as the news is, Zohn's journey is not over yet. Because his cancer has proven itself to be resurgent in the past – after three months of intense chemotherapy over the summer, cancerous growths were found in his body in the fall – his doctors still plan to move forward with a stem-cell transplant.

Zohn expects to be admitted to the hospital in the next two weeks to begin the daunting procedure, which will keep him isolated for 30 days straight. "With my history," he says, "its essential."


But Zohn remains positive. "I'm so pumped and excited. My docs are amazing," he says.

His girlfriend, Jenna Morasca, and his family are elated as well, Zohn says.

Morasca tells PEOPLE, "I always knew he could beat it. This is the best Christ-makah present anyone could ask for." Showing her usual sense of humor, she adds, "Except a puppy."


Happy for Ethan!

Thats verry good news!! Good for Ethan!!!

please watch this vid as Ethan plays the message from the doctors office saying his cancer is in remission and then he calls his mom to tell her.

http://www.people.com/people/videos/0,,20331284,00.html

Update -

Ethan Zohn Returning Home From Hospital
By Cynthia Wang

Sunday January 10, 2010 03:05 PM EST


More than 200 former contestants celebrated the 10th anniversary of Survivor Saturday, but one alum couldn't make it – Ethan Zohn, undergoing what he hopes is the last of the treatments for cancer.

"He's somehow become, to me, our star, who represents the good, the bad and the struggle, everything about Survivor," said host Jeff Probst.

Zohn's girlfriend, Jenna Morasca, winner of the Amazon season, swept in for the event at CBS's studios in Los Angeles. "I've literally come in on the latest flight and will go home on the earliest flight," she says. "It's hard to be away."

She came with promising news. As Zohn undergoes a complete stem-cell transplant, Morasca reports, "He's doing okay. We're getting toward the end and we're hoping to go home [from the hospital] this week, but then he's still going to be on kind of a watch and in isolation for three months so we're going to take it day by day but in my opinion he is cancer free."

But she says it hasn't always been easy. Morasca had taken to Twitter to chronicle her difficulty at donating platelets, writing on last week, "5th time trying to give platelets and the machine broke! Some1 is trying to tell me something."

She says now, "I think I maybe over-Twittered because think I got a little, you know, there were some really, really dark, dark moments that I don't think I was ready for. But now we're on the upswing so things are getting better, but it was a long journey and Ethan's the most amazing, toughest person I've ever met in my life." Zohn, 36, the winner of the Africa season, is battling a rare form of Hodgkin's disease. Chronicling his struggle on PEOPLE.com, Zohn says that after intense chemotherapy doctors have found no active cancer cells in his body, but the stem-cell transplant means a month in isolation.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20335936,00.html

Cancer-free Ethan Zohn finishes the New York City marathon in 4:16





After being unable to run in the New York City marathon last year because he was being treated for cancer, Survivor Africa winner Ethan Zohn ran the 26.2 mile race Sunday and finished in 4:16:08, a pace of 9:48 per mile and an impressive time for anyone, never mind someone who one year ago was undergoing radiation and a stem cell transplant at a hospital he ran past yesterday. (Hilariously, before the race, he told the New York Daily News, “I don’t know whether I should flick it off or give it a big hug. Like, ‘Hey I hate you cancer, but I love you [Sloan] for saving my life,’ It’s a double-edged sword.”)
Ethan ran as part of a team formed to raise money for his charity Grassroot Soccer, and that group included several reality stars, including actors Scott Wolf and Donal Logue, and CBS reality stars Brennan Swain, Ian Rosenberger, and Chad Crittenden.
It also included Ethan’s friend and Bachelorette winner Ryan Sutter, who told The Early Show last week, “We wanted to run together last year and everything happened with Ethan, and he sort of suckered me into continuing to run it,” he said. “And I swore at the finish line I would never do it again, and here I am doing it again mostly because of him. It is wonderful to have him back and I’m excited about it.”Both men are running for cancer programs.Sutter said, “Ethan inspired me to get involved with a young adult cancer program that from Vail, Colorado, where I live and this year for First Descents. Ethan is helping me out with that and we’re trying of get rid of this whole cancer thing.”
The two reality stars had a bet that they’d give money to the other’s charity if they lost, and Ryan beat Ethan, finishing in 3:20:39.

Very inspiring!

Such a class act and yes, an inspiration!! Kudos to Ethan who went from reality show survivor to cancer survivor!!

That's awesome!!!!