By Ben McLeod
(Source: CNW)
In a moment of striking vulnerability, former Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees president and longtime Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee leader Brian Lewis has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Lewis made the revelation Thursday evening during a live appearance on the popular sports talk program Isports on i95.5 FM, hosted by Andre Errol Baptiste. The disclosure, delivered with calm resolve, immediately reverberated throughout the regional sporting landscape.
A diagnosis faced in silence
Lewis revealed that he received the diagnosis in June 2025 and has since been navigating the reality privately alongside his family while undergoing medical treatment.
“This is not a death sentence,” Lewis said, underscoring both his determination and perspective as he continues to confront the illness.
His decision to speak publicly came after months of quiet reflection and family discussions, a period he described as one of emotional adjustment rather than surrender.
Defying the prognosis through purpose
In a powerful declaration of resilience, Lewis confirmed that he will once again take part in the annual Marathon Challenge, marking his 12th consecutive appearance in the demanding 26.2-mile event.
The race, which raises vital funds for athlete welfare initiatives, has long been central to Lewis’s advocacy work, and he made clear that his diagnosis would not derail that mission.
Even as his health presents new challenges, Lewis remains committed to running not just for himself, but for the athletes and programs he has championed for decades.
Breaking a promise for a greater cause
Lewis acknowledged that his decision to go public came with personal conflict.
“I promised my wife not to break the news,” he admitted, “but circumstances got the better of me.”
Those circumstances, he explained, were driven by a growing conviction that his story could serve a greater purpose, particularly for men across the Caribbean who often delay seeking medical care.
A direct appeal to Caribbean men
With unmistakable urgency, Lewis used the platform to deliver a clear and pointed message on health awareness and early detection.
“I think the reality is that, in particular, in men in the Caribbean and Trinidad and Tobago, you need to get screened,” he said. “Whoever it is, you need to get screened.”
He warned against a culture of denial and self-diagnosis that continues to claim lives unnecessarily.
“There are many, many more things where we try to self-diagnose everything, and we try to ignore things,” Lewis said. “It’s causing more men to die unnecessarily. Early detection is a critical part.”
Turning a personal fight into public advocacy
By stepping forward, Lewis has transformed his private battle into a broader campaign for awareness, accountability, and action. Even as he and his family continue to come to terms with the diagnosis, his focus remains firmly on protecting others from preventable loss.
True to form, Lewis is confronting adversity the same way he has led for years, with honesty, resolve, and an unwavering commitment to serve.
