Former 'Idol' Luke Menard Not Letting Cancer Interfere With Music Career

By Access HollywoodJune 24, 2008, 7:30 pm PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Former "American Idol" contender Luke Menard is continuing on with his music career despite his recent cancer diagnosis.

In May, it was revealed that the Top 24 contestant from Season 7 was battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, and though he has been busy receiving treatment for the disease, he continues to work on new music.

[ 'American Idol:' What's Next For Luke Menard & Asia'h Epperson? - Play it Now ]

"Luke is doing great," fellow Season 7 contestant Michael Johns told Access Hollywood. "He went through his second round of chemo. He is battling. He is actually going to Nashville to do some writing very soon, [a] second round of writing."

Menard, 29, a one-time carpet layer, has been battling stage two of the disease in Los Angeles, with his wife by his side.

[ 'American Idol' Celebrity Knock-Offs - Check Out the Photos ]

Though chemotherapy is known to be rough on a patient, Menard isn't letting the disease or its treatment stop him. Johns said the Indiana native is even hoping to catch his buddies on the "American Idols" Live Tour 2008, which kicks off July 1 in Glendale, Arizona.

"He is feeling really fit and healthy but it's not getting in the way of his career," Johns said. "He actually told me he was going to come to a couple of shows."

[ All Access: American Idol - Music ]

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comments 1-10 of 65  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest
  • Stacey K
    My prayers are with you Luke...
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 10:45 pm PDT
  • purplereign12010
    Glad to hear that Luke Menard is keeping a positive attitude. A friend of mine went through this very same thing, and she said that the most important tool in fighting this disease is the attitude. Good luck to you, Mr. Mendard.
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 8:24 pm PDT
  • dancemomjax
    Stay strong and God Bless...GET WELL SOON
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 7:17 pm PDT
  • gurly
    good for him
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 6:34 pm PDT
  • Casey
    my thoughts and prayers go out to Luke. Stay Strong!
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 5:50 pm PDT
  • lauren f
    god bless.my heart goes out to him and his family.
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 4:05 pm PDT
  • valrie b
    luke may god be with you h,ll never gave up on you he will always be by your side so just hold fast onto him and keep on praying and trusting for i know he will cure your desease and set you free for i will be praying for you too may god bless and keep you so just lift your faith to him, AMEM
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 3:06 pm PDT
  • Jamie B
    you'll beat it just like i did your young and most young people survive this cancer better. but you are lucky to have the one that has the higher survior rate. they have lost so many that have non hogkins lymphoma. so be brave and tough and it sucks at first but in the end once the treatments are over you have something you can say hey i survived and am proud to live and have survived agai
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 2:40 pm PDT
  • Jamie B
    I went through the same thing and im in remission for hodgkins lymphoma. i was diagnosed with it at 18 and now im 22 and i'm living proof miricles can happen. i stillhave the cancer but it's dormant. i try to stay away from stress so it stays gone. but i have a daughter that is 1 1/2 yrs old and a son on the way even though i wasnt sapoused to have kids. i had the best docters. so
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 2:38 pm PDT
  • Marie W
    Ah so sorry to hear this. My prayers are with you Luke and your family. Hang in there.
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 2:36 pm PDT
comments 1-10 of 65  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

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