Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes has shared an update on his ongoing cancer battle, revealing some difficult news about his health in a statement shared on Facebook.
The video focused on his current condition amid his prostate cancer diagnosis, as well as an update on the GoFundMe campaign he launched to help cover the costs of his treatment.
“Hey everybody. It’s Chris Holmes here. I would like to take this moment to thank everybody… I’d like to thank everybody who’s donated to my GoFundMe very, very, very much,” Holmes said. “It’s helped me. It’s actually given me a prolonged lease on life, ’cause it’s helped me through my cancer thing.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve done if I couldn’t get the money to help me through this. I could’ve got the radiation. I don’t know if I’d have finished whatever. I just wouldn’t have the money,” he continued. “But I appreciate everybody who’s helping me more than you ever… And in the next, depending how long I last, and when you ever see me here and there, come up and tell me you donated to me, I’ll give you the biggest fucking hug you’ll ever imagine. I’ll give you the shirt off my back, okay?”
Holmes went on to explain that his fundraising goal has not yet been met. He asked fans for continued support in spreading the word.
“I’d like to know if you could still help promote the GoFundMe, ’cause I haven’t reached the goal that we’ve been looking for,” he said. “We’re about 20% [away from reaching the goal] — we’ve made 80% of it, [with] about 20% to go. I’d appreciate it if you help promote it on your websites or whatever. If you could keep pushing it.”
He then described in detail the severity of his recent health struggles, including complications from his cancer treatment.
“It gave me a little bit of lease on life. It’s helped me get to pay for all the things I need to do. I take this stuff called hormonal therapy, [which] makes me really sick,” Holmes said. “The last two weeks I just went through probably one of the most sickest times I’ve ever been in my life. I thought the throat cancer was bad when on chemo, but something happened in my — not my, after my stomach, my gizzards, I lost all the good and bad bacteria that’s in there because of radiation.”
“And then when I drink water, it just went straight from my stomach right out my rear end. I could’ve sat on the toilet and drank it, and you could just put a cup under my butt and it would’ve just filled right back up. [Laughs] It was sad. Dysentery would’ve been beautiful to have.”
Holmes closed his message with a heartfelt thanks to his supporters and a renewed appeal for donations.
“But I’d like to thank everybody who’s put money in this. From the deepest of my heart, it’s helped me to get through this, all right? I love you very much,” he said. “Please help promote this just a little bit more so I can maybe make the whole 100% of the goal. We got 20% more, okay? Thank you very much, and I love you for it, okay?”
This is not the first time Holmes has had to lean on the support of his fans to get through a health crisis. The guitarist previously battled throat and neck cancer in 2022. He won that fight after fans rallied behind a crowdfunding campaign to help cover his medical costs at the time.
His current diagnosis came about almost by chance. Holmes’ prostate cancer was discovered in early 2025 after he mentioned urinary symptoms during what was originally a routine throat checkup. He has maintained an optimistic outlook on his prognosis despite the grim details he shared about his recent side effects. He describes the disease as “100% curable” once treatment runs its course.
Holmes has been undergoing treatment in France, where he lives with his wife Catherine. He has already completed several weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The hormonal therapy he referenced in his message is part of that broader treatment plan, one that has proven physically brutal even as it works toward putting his cancer into remission.
Financial strain has compounded the physical toll. Catherine has said the couple’s insurance situation left Chris covered for “emergency only” treatment. This forced them to launch the GoFundMe with a goal of €50,000 to help close a gap that had already produced roughly €20,000 in medical debt. That shortfall is what Holmes referenced when he noted the campaign had reached about 80% of its target. It underscores why he continues to ask fans directly for help spreading the word.
The GoFundMe campaign remains active as Holmes continues his treatment. Further updates on his condition and fundraising progress are expected in the coming weeks.
