Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell recently opened up about his ongoing battle with cancer. He revealed an unexpected perspective on his biggest challenge in a candid interview on the Fueled With Chris Cyr Podcast.
Campbell was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013. He shared how the diagnosis changed his approach to life and spending.
Campbell explained his shift in mindset about money and mortality when asked how being diagnosed with cancer had changed his perspective on life.
“I can tell you it made me spend more money. ‘Cause, as Jerry Seinfeld said, ‘You can’t drive money.’ So as soon as I got — not as soon as, but within a year of having my cancer diagnosis, I went and bought a very expensive Porsche,” Campbell said. “And I remember thinking, ‘Oh, that’s a lot of money. It’s a lot of money.’ And I [thought], ‘I could be dead next week.'”
The guitarist referenced an Irish saying that influenced his decision-making process.
“Well, actually, there is a saying in Ireland: ‘You’re a long time dead.’ So I sort of take it to heart. I’m a little bit reckless in that way,” he continued. “I have a lot of faith in the universe, that things will work out — financially, that’s one of them, but also with regard to my cancer. I thought, ‘Okay, this is the hand I’ve been dealt.’ And as I see it, you can go one of two routes — you can capitulate to it or you can just live your life. And I decided to do the latter.”
Campbell described his mental approach to dealing with the diagnosis and treatment.
“My attitude, other than the first week or so when that oncologist called me and said, ‘You’ve got cancer,’ and I’m, like, ‘Oh, my life is over.’ It’s not. It’s just another thing you’ve gotta deal with,” Campbell explained. “And attitude is so, so important to it. I’ve always been, ‘F*ck you, cancer.’ I’m just gonna deal with it. And I’m a strong person physically and mentally. My body is strong, and I’ve always continued to work out through it. I keep pushing myself. And mentally, I’m not afraid to die.”
Campbell revealed what has actually been the most challenging aspect of his cancer journey.
“I don’t wanna die ’cause I’ve got kids and family. I’ve got a lot of people who depend on me, but I’ve never been afraid of it. And I just keep pushing at it and keep pushing back. And most importantly, I just keep living my life,” he said. “Honestly, the hardest part of dealing with cancer in the last 12 or 13 years has been scheduling. I’ve got a tour. I’ve gotta fit all this stuff. I’m in two bands. I’m in Last in Line, as well as Def Leppard, so I’ve gotta plug in all these gaps. And so, really, honest to God, it’s been the hardest part, is scheduling my treatments. But yeah, I consider myself very fortunate in every aspect of life.”
Campbell’s candid remarks come at a significant milestone in his cancer journey. His battle with the disease has taken several dramatic turns over the past decade.
AXS TV reported that Campbell recently announced he is completely in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the first time since his diagnosis in 2013. This breakthrough came after a successful donor stem cell transplant, marking a crucial victory in his long-fought battle against the disease.
The road to remission was far from smooth. Q94.5 All Rock detailed that Campbell’s treatment journey included multiple approaches, starting with chemotherapy, followed by immunotherapy, and an autologous stem cell transplant using his own cells. Unfortunately, the initial transplant failed to eliminate the cancer, necessitating the search for an external donor.
The transplant process itself presented unexpected challenges. Campbell’s initial donor backed out just days before the scheduled procedure, creating a critical situation. However, medical teams successfully found a perfect match in a young 21-year-old man. This allowed the life-saving transplant to proceed on New Year’s Eve.
Campbell has expressed profound gratitude toward his anonymous donor. He shows his characteristic humor even in serious circumstances. He has stated his intention to buy the young man “a beer — or two or three!” once he’s allowed to make contact. This demonstrates the deep appreciation he feels for this life-changing gift.
