Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins Reveals ALS Diagnosis After ‘Slow Progressing’ Symptoms
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Zac Brown Band bassist John Driskell Hopkins revealed that he was diagnosed with ALS.
“Because my symptoms have been slow progressing from the start, we believe they will continue to be slow progressing,” he said in a video statement.
To raise awareness and support ALS research, Hopkins and his family established Hop on a Cure and encouraged fans to make a donation.
Members of Zac Brown Band delivered some important news to their fans over the weekend. The group’s bassist John Driskell Hopkins, who is also a songwriter, vocalist, and founding member of the band, has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The band made the announcement in a brief video shared on Friday. Hopkins, who often goes by “Hop,” led the message front-and-center, surrounded by his friends and family. “Over the past several years, I’ve noticed some balance issues and some stiffness in my hands,” the 51-year-old began. “After careful analysis by some of the country’s top neurologists, I have been diagnosed with ALS. Because my symptoms have been slow progressing from the start, we believe they will continue to be slow progressing going forward.”
He continued: “God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come.”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the ALS Association. People with the condition eventually lose the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe. The disease is always fatal, per the association, and although the average survival time is three years, about 20% of people with ALS live five years, 10% survive 10 years, and 5% live 20 years or longer. There is currently no cure.
To raise awareness for the disease and support ALS research, Hopkins and his family established their own foundation, Hop on a Cure, which is committed to supporting research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while fostering community at the same time. In the band’s video announcement, they encouraged fans to make a donation by texting HOP to 345-345. “The technology and research surrounding ALS research has been advancing, but we still don’t have a cure,” lead singer Zac Brown added in the video. “Thanks so much for your prayers and support in helping us cure ALS.”
Hopkins and the band are currently on tour and will be until November. In addition to bass, Hopkins plays guitar, banjo, and ukulele, and released a solo album called Lonesome High last year.
Our thoughts are with Hopkins and his loved ones at this time.
You Might Also Like
