Alston Has Leukemia, Takes Leave
- Updated: April 8, 2013
Revolution defender Kevin Alston (left) has been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, and will take an indefinite leave to undergo treatement. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)
On Monday, the Revolution announced that left back Kevin Alston has chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare but treatable form of leukemia, and will take an indefinite leave of absence to undergo treatment.
The 24-year-old defender started all four of the team’s games this season, and has played the entirety of his professional career with the Revolution, who selected him in the first round (10th overall) of the 2009 SuperDraft.
“The Revolution fully supports Kevin as he begins treatment,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said in a statement on Monday. “Right now, the most important thing for Kevin, and his family, is to concentrate on returning to full health. Kevin’s had a tremendous attitude since the diagnosis and his positivity is an inspiration for all of us.”
According to the team release, Alston’s treatment will not require hospitalization, and that he expects to return to the team in the future. According to the National Cancer Institute, CML as a disease in which the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells. Symptoms of CML include tiredness, night sweats, and fever.
Shortly after news broke of Alston’s diagnosis, a number of fellow players, including Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando and former teammate Benny Feilhaber took to Twitter to wish the Revolution left back well.
Alston has started all of the 116 career games he’s played for the Revolution. He recently moved from his customary right back spot to left back after injuries forced head coach Jay Heaps to shuffle defenders toward the tail end of the 2012 season.
Chris Tierney, who began last season as the team’s starting left back, will likely reprise that role in Alston’s absence.
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