John Huff, drummer for the rock band The Color Fred, has revealed that he is battling stage 4 melanoma after what began as a swollen armpit led to a devastating diagnosis.
The 39-year-old musician shared the news in an emotional Facebook video, telling fans that the cancer appeared to come on quickly.
“About a month ago,” Huff said, he woke up and noticed that the lymph nodes under his arm were badly swollen.
He went to the Philadelphia VA for an ultrasound and was initially told doctors suspected lymphoma.
That diagnosis later changed.
Huff said additional testing revealed melanoma that had spread beyond its original site, making it stage 4.
According to Huff, the cancer has spread to his lung, gallbladder, left foot and more than 20 lymph nodes.
The news was frightening, but Huff made it clear that he is determined to fight.
He said he is preparing to begin immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
Huff also acknowledged that reading about advanced melanoma online had been difficult.
“The odds aren’t great,” he said, before adding that he believes he can beat it.
His biggest motivation is his young daughter.
Huff said he wants to “kick this thing’s ass” so he can be there to watch her grow up.
That determination comes as melanoma treatment has changed dramatically over the past decade.
For advanced melanoma, immunotherapy drugs are now a major part of treatment and can produce long-lasting responses in some patients, although outcomes vary widely from person to person.
Huff’s treatment plan will depend on factors including how his cancer responds and whether doctors find specific mutations that could open the door to targeted therapy.
The musician has also been forced to step back from some of his normal work.
He said swelling in his lymph nodes has made it difficult to keep up with long stretches of teaching, even though he can still play drums.
Huff thanked fans for an overwhelming show of support after his sister created a GoFundMe to help with expenses.
He said the fundraiser reached its goal almost immediately.
“You guys are crazy. I love you all,” he told supporters.
Huff is part of The Color Fred, the alternative rock project led by former Taking Back Sunday guitarist and singer Fred Mascherino.
The group first emerged in the 2000s and later returned with new music, including the 2022 album A Year and Change.
For now, Huff’s focus is firmly on treatment.
He admitted that the diagnosis is scary, especially at 39, but said he plans to keep fighting.