Lady A’s Charles Kelley reveals rare blood cancer diagnosis after alarming health scare

Lady A band member Charles Kelley was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer after initially being treated for rib fractures.

“I had a few random rib fractures, which prompted my doctor to give me several different blood tests,” the 45-year-old songwriter shared via an Instagram video alongside his wife, Cassie McConnell, on Tuesday.

“One of the last blood tests we did revealed a blood cancer called multiple myeloma.”

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation defines this disease as a “cancer of plasma cells present in the bone marrow.”

“It’s rare, but I’m young,” Kelley added. “I feel healthy and treatments, I will say, have advanced so much, even in the last five years, that even life expectancy is far beyond what it was.”

The country singer further explained that the first six months of treatment shouldn’t be too invasive, saying, “I think physically I’ll feel like myself. I’ll have rough days (but) I want to keep working.”

Kelley shared that he remains “hopeful” and “confident” in his ability to get through this.

Additionally, he is committed to keeping his followers informed about his journey, just as he has been transparent about his 2022 sobriety journey.

The singer concluded his announcement video by kissing McConnell on camera. The two married in 2009 and share two children: Ward, 10, and Archer, 1.

In the comments section of her post, Kelley received several messages of support from her bandmates, including Dave Haywood, who commented, “I love you all. We’re all here for you.”

“The strongest duo out there! I love you so much! You got this! ❤️,” Hillary Scott said.

Kelley joined Lady A as co-vocalist in 2006 when the group signed with Big Machine Records.

Kelley’s bandmates have supported him through all his ups and downs, including in 2022 when they postponed their “Request Line Tour” as he embarked on his sobriety journey.

He recently celebrated four years of sobriety in July with a photo of himself before and after he quit drinking on Instagram.

“I could go on about the many blessings that came from leaving him more than just looking healthier, but it’s a lovely reminder of a place I don’t want to go back to,” Kelley captioned the post.