Bridges Turns 71
- It’s Jeff Bridges’ 71st birthday, and the actor marked the occasion with two new drawings on his website.
- Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma in October but has been staying hopeful amidst his fight, inspiring millions of fans and followers.
- There are two different common variants of lymphoma: Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin, each of which requires different approaches to treatment. Knowing the difference could save your life.
Actor Jeff Bridges shared a thoughtful illustration “announcing” his birth, in honor of his 71st birthday; it serves as the perfect reminder to “look up” and reach for the the bright side of each day. Even when things may appear cloudy, as Bridges battles lymphoma, he seems to keep his creative juices flowing.
The actor shared two new drawings on his website, where he regularly updates fans about his cancer journey; he was diagnosed in October. His first entry reads, “Here I am, out of the blue, December 4th, 1949”, the day he was born 71 year ago, and the second, “Aaaahhh I’ve been born, I’m alive…,” marking the occasion and expressing his wonder for life itself.
Related: Actor Jeff Bridges, 70, Shares Public Journal Documenting His Lymphoma Battle: “I’m Realizing I Have Sh*t to Share, Now’s the Time
Bridges, beloved for his starring role in “The Big Lebowski” and his laid-back groove, announced on Twitter that he was battling Lymphoma back on October 19.
But “The Dude” is not letting his cancer diagnosis bring him down. He’s shared a number of drawings and journal entries focusing on how grateful and loved he’s felt throughout this process.
Related: Actor Jeff Bridges, 70, Donates His “Finest Guitar” to Help Others Even as He Fights His Own Lymphoma Battle
He’s even continuing to help others, recently donating a cherished guitar from his private collection to support the hungry through Montana’s Livingston Food Resource Center.
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are a key part of your immune system, which helps to fight off diseases and dangers to the body.
Related: Age, Race, and Exposures Might All Factor Into Lymphoma Risk
Bridges hasn’t revealed which form of lymphoma he’s been diagnosed with, but the two most common types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
As SurvivorNet has previously reported, the difference between the two lies in the white blood cells: if doctors can detect Reed-Sternberg cells, which are giant cells derived from B lymphocytes, in the blood, the cancer is diagnosed as Hodgkin. If no Reed-Sternberg cells are detected, it’s diagnosed as non-Hodgkin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common; Hogkin lymphoma is more treatable.
Dr. Elise Chong explains why your type of lymphoma matters
Related: “My Chemo Smirk!” Radio Host Dan Bongino Shares Treatment Picture As He Fights Hodgkin Lymphoma
The ideal treatment for lymphoma patients depends on what variation they have as well as how far the disease has progressed. Both forms can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, with stem-cell transplant sometimes used for Hodgkin treatment and medication for non-Hodgkin.
Staying Groovy: The Power of Positivity
Bridges has won the hearts of millions with his lovable characters and even more lovable public personality. In light of this challenging diagnosis, he’s doing what he does best: being himself and staying positive.
Related: 7 Cancer Survivors and Thrivers Tell Us How They Keep a Positive Attitude
In his iconic voice, Bridges wrote in one journal entry, “This cancer thing is bringing on feelings of preciousness, & gratitude, & good old fashion love, & lots of it, big time. I’m feeling so much of it comin’ my way, & man, I appreciate it.”
Hundreds of thousands of fans have rallied behind Bridges since his diagnosis, offering him love, support, and good vibes.
Bridges wrote about how “cancer is making me appreciate my mortality, appreciate impermanence,” and said he’s realized that “now’s the time” to share what matters to him.
Related: ‘Dude, You Got This:’ Support for Actor Jeff Bridges, 70, from Lymphoma Survivors Is Proof Cancer Can Be Beat
Having a positive outlook and support system like Bridges’ benefits more than just the heart — it can actually help patients live longer. Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview that he’s “pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who have gratitude in life.”
I Wanted to Be Me Again, But Also Needed Their Help – Finding That Support System
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Bridges Turns 71
- It’s Jeff Bridges’ 71st birthday, and the actor marked the occasion with two new drawings on his website.
- Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma in October but has been staying hopeful amidst his fight, inspiring millions of fans and followers.
- There are two different common variants of lymphoma: Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin, each of which requires different approaches to treatment. Knowing the difference could save your life.
Actor Jeff Bridges shared a thoughtful illustration “announcing” his birth, in honor of his 71st birthday; it serves as the perfect reminder to “look up” and reach for the the bright side of each day. Even when things may appear cloudy, as Bridges battles lymphoma, he seems to keep his creative juices flowing.
The actor shared two new drawings on his website, where he regularly updates fans about his cancer journey; he was diagnosed in October. His first entry reads, “Here I am, out of the blue, December 4th, 1949”, the day he was born 71 year ago, and the second, “Aaaahhh I’ve been born, I’m alive…,” marking the occasion and expressing his wonder for life itself.
Read More
Related: Actor Jeff Bridges, 70, Shares Public Journal Documenting His Lymphoma Battle: “I’m Realizing I Have Sh*t to Share, Now’s the Time
Bridges, beloved for his starring role in “The Big Lebowski” and his laid-back groove, announced on Twitter that he was battling Lymphoma back on October 19.
But “The Dude” is not letting his cancer diagnosis bring him down. He’s shared a number of drawings and journal entries focusing on how grateful and loved he’s felt throughout this process.
Related: Actor Jeff Bridges, 70, Donates His “Finest Guitar” to Help Others Even as He Fights His Own Lymphoma Battle
He’s even continuing to help others, recently donating a cherished guitar from his private collection to support the hungry through Montana’s Livingston Food Resource Center.
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are a key part of your immune system, which helps to fight off diseases and dangers to the body.
Related: Age, Race, and Exposures Might All Factor Into Lymphoma Risk
Bridges hasn’t revealed which form of lymphoma he’s been diagnosed with, but the two most common types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
As SurvivorNet has previously reported, the difference between the two lies in the white blood cells: if doctors can detect Reed-Sternberg cells, which are giant cells derived from B lymphocytes, in the blood, the cancer is diagnosed as Hodgkin. If no Reed-Sternberg cells are detected, it’s diagnosed as non-Hodgkin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common; Hogkin lymphoma is more treatable.
Dr. Elise Chong explains why your type of lymphoma matters
Related: “My Chemo Smirk!” Radio Host Dan Bongino Shares Treatment Picture As He Fights Hodgkin Lymphoma
The ideal treatment for lymphoma patients depends on what variation they have as well as how far the disease has progressed. Both forms can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, with stem-cell transplant sometimes used for Hodgkin treatment and medication for non-Hodgkin.
Staying Groovy: The Power of Positivity
Bridges has won the hearts of millions with his lovable characters and even more lovable public personality. In light of this challenging diagnosis, he’s doing what he does best: being himself and staying positive.
Related: 7 Cancer Survivors and Thrivers Tell Us How They Keep a Positive Attitude
In his iconic voice, Bridges wrote in one journal entry, “This cancer thing is bringing on feelings of preciousness, & gratitude, & good old fashion love, & lots of it, big time. I’m feeling so much of it comin’ my way, & man, I appreciate it.”
Hundreds of thousands of fans have rallied behind Bridges since his diagnosis, offering him love, support, and good vibes.
Bridges wrote about how “cancer is making me appreciate my mortality, appreciate impermanence,” and said he’s realized that “now’s the time” to share what matters to him.
Related: ‘Dude, You Got This:’ Support for Actor Jeff Bridges, 70, from Lymphoma Survivors Is Proof Cancer Can Be Beat
Having a positive outlook and support system like Bridges’ benefits more than just the heart — it can actually help patients live longer. Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview that he’s “pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who have gratitude in life.”
I Wanted to Be Me Again, But Also Needed Their Help – Finding That Support System
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
