Rock icon shares update on cancer battle: ‘Never expected such an outpouring of love’

EntertainmentWASP poses backstage at the Riviera Theater, Chicago, Illinois, January 19, 1986. Pictured are Tony Richards, Blackie Lawless, Randy Piper, and Chris Holmes. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)Getty ImagesBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comChris Holmes, best known for his time as the guitarist for W.A.S.P., announced recently that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. And there was recently some good news on that front. A GoFundMe campaign started by his wife, Catherine Savean Holmes, was set up to help the 68-year-old musician as he battles the disease.“We never imagined we would have to write something like this again,” the GoFundMe reads. “In 2022, just after two years of COVID lockdown, Chris faced throat cancer. A GoFundMe carried us through an impossible moment. We were deeply grateful, and we hoped we would never have to ask again. Today life has placed us in another hard situation, and we want to speak about it honestly.“Chris has begun radiotherapy in France for prostate cancer,” the post continued. “The treatment is essential and cannot be interrupted. Because of an administrative error linked to our marriage registration, the health insurance system placed Chris under ‘emergency only’ coverage. He had to wait three months before receiving any care at all, and only the radiotherapy given during the month of July is covered. Everything else falls to us: * Hormone therapy (standard and new generation) * Scans and PET scans * Biopsy and blood tests * Daily travel to and from the hospital. This has already left us with ($23,000) in medical debt, and the treatment ahead will keep adding to it every month.”Holmes was attempting to raise around $57,000, and this week he hit that goal. In the latest update to the GoFundMe, Holmes’ wife thanked everyone for helping them reach their goal.“We can focus on Chris’s treatment and ensure he returns to you in 2027 to keep sharing his talent and the joy of connecting with you all,” she wrote. “I’m not very tech-savvy with GoFundMe, but I asked if we could keep the fundraiser open until September 15th because some people reached out to say it was important for them to donate — even a small amount — in return for everything Chris has done for them over the years. I was deeply moved by the impact Chris has had — and continues to have — on all of you. To be honest, we never expected such an outpouring of love, donations, and messages; it touches us more than you could possibly imagine. You’ve helped us mentally by simply being there, and financially by lifting the stress of how we could manage to pay for everything and get by. There are no words strong enough to express our gratitude and love for everything you’ve done and shared. Don’t forget to see Chris next year; he promised a hug to everyone who shared, donated, or simply supported us with their presence. He promised it in the video. And I will send a message to all of you probably the week coming.”Blabbermouth.net reported that Holmes cancelled his 2026 tour of the United Kingdom and Scandinavia earlier this year. Holmes was with W.A.S.P. from 1982 through 1990. He returned to the band in 1996 and was with it through 2001. Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...