Paralympic athletes who opened up about cancer
The Paris 2024 Paralympics brings together approximately 4,400 athletes from around the world, competing in 22 different sports. As we watch these incredible athletes compete, we’re highlighting five resilient athletes who have candidly shared their battle against cancer. Their stories below are a testament to the perseverance and strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.
1) Erin Kennedy
British Paralympic coxswain Erin Kennedy never felt fitter when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at 29 in May 2022. After competing in the World Cup in Serbia and the European Championships, Kennedy knew she had to step back from competing to prioritize her health. Kennedy has shared every step of her treatment path on social media, from advocating for early detection to fertility preservation. After 15 rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, Kennedy qualified for the Paris Paralympics.
“Aging is an absolute privilege that is not there for everybody,” Kennedy says. “Life is too short to do things you don’t love and enjoy.”
2) Emily Oberst
Wisconsin native Emily Oberst had a deep love for sports growing up. She was especially drawn to basketball and had dreams of playing in the WNBA. When Oberst was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a bone cancer, at the age of 12, she was devastated that she would be unable to play basketball. The treatment required surgery that would cause her to lose the ability to jump and run. When Oberst learned she qualified for Wheelchair Basketball, her passion for the sport was reignited.
Oberest recognizes the layers of stigma surrounding being a female wheelchair athlete and hopes to “change that story one athlete at a time.”
3) Hailey Danz
Hailey Danz’s life was forever changed at the age of 12 when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. After multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy, Danz ultimately underwent surgery that removed part of her pelvis and leg. She remembers telling her 14-year-old self that this change would lead to something great “Brace yourself. It’s going to be good.”
Danz remained active and took up skiing before discovering a new passion in para-triathlon. Although Danz didn’t have a background in biking, swimming, or running, she trained relentlessly and won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and is thrilled to be participating in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
4) Heidi Peters
Canadian sitting volleyball player Heidi Peters was first introduced to the sport by a national teammate during her recovery after surgery. At 16, Peters was diagnosed with bone cancer and despite a year of chemotherapy, the cancer remained, leading to the amputation of her left leg. As a part of the Canadian Paralympic team, she played a significant role in helping the team qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Peters is a strong advocate for shifting the language and perception of people with disabilities.
“Be aware of the language you use. Language is just fundamentally how we identify with ourselves, with other people, how we communicate, how we interact with the world,” Peter says. “If everybody just paid attention to how they speak, that’s how the world will change.”
5) Mark Barr
Ever since he was four years old, Mark Barr had a deep love for sports. He started with swimming and eventually played soccer and baseball. As a young teenager, Barr experienced debilitating knee pain which led to his diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Despite a year of chemotherapy, the tumor continued to spread aggressively, leaving amputation of his leg as the only remaining solution. Barr recalls the moment as the “ultimate low of the entire experience with cancer.”
After his surgery, Barr’s recovery nurse, an amputee and Paralympic swimmer herself, was a beacon of inspiration and helped him realize he could still pursue the things he loved, including swimming. Since then, Barr has taken up the challenge of training for triathlons, earning numerous accolades along the way. The Paris 2024 Paralympics will be Barr’s fourth time participating in the Paralympics.
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