Kevin Alston has established himself as a professional soccer player through grit and determination. But he is now facing a test which dwarfs anything one can find on the field of play.
Alston was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare but treatable form of the disease. The 24-year-old New England Revolution defender has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team to undergo treatment.
“The Revolution fully supports Kevin as he begins treatment,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said. “Right now, the most important thing for Kevin, and his family, is to concentrate on returning to full health. Kevin’s had a tremendous attitude since the diagnosis and his positivity is an inspiration for all of us.”
Fans and well-wishers can send Alston messages via email to GetWellKevinAlston@gmail.com or tag Twitter with the tag #GetWellKA.
The Revs drafted Alston out of Indiana University in the first round of the 2009 MLS Superdraft, and he has been a fixture in the defense ever since. He started every one of the 116 games in which he has appeared, primarily as a right fullback. This season has seen him switch sides, as he played the Revs’ first four games of 2013 on the left side of the back line.
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