Washington College baseball player Luke Herz revealed he is fighting a battle with testicular cancer.
“Over the past several weeks, I have been diagnosed with testicular cancer and tomorrow I go in to surgery to have the cancer removed,” Herz, 22, shared via Instagram on Wednesday, October 28. “We don’t know much more yet so I am hoping to drum up some good thoughts and positive energy as I head into the next phase of this journey.”
He added, “I thank you all for thinking of me and will keep you updated.”
Herz has not posted anything on social media since.
The student-athlete graduated from Washington College in May, which he celebrated with a carousel of photos on Instagram featuring his parents, twin sister, Sydney, and girlfriend, Jules Dadurka.
Herz played four seasons at Washington College, where he majored in environmental science.
Friends of Herz offered their support in the comments section of his Instagram post announcing his diagnosis.
“Thinking of you and the whole family right now!” one person wrote. “Sending so much love and positive energy 🤍.”
A member of his girlfriend’s family commented, “Prayers are coming from the Utah part of Jules’s family. If you are hers — you are ours.”
“Go kick that cancer’s ass Luke, I know without a doubt you have the strength to do it.🫡❤️,” another follower wrote.
Growing up, Luke and his sister routinely appeared on the mega-popular Bratayley YouTube channel, which featured parents Billy and Katie LeBlanc and their three children: Jules, Hayley and Caleb.
Caleb died in October 2015 at the age of 13 due to sudden cardiac arrest. Many of Luke’s followers referenced his friendship with Caleb on his post.
“Caleb’s gonna be watching over you through this whole thing,” one fan wrote. “Sending prayers and positives thoughts through a smooth surgery and recovery. 🤍🙏🏻”
Another wrote, “I’ve been here since Bratayley and I’ll be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts during this hard time!! ❤️You have the best guardian angel watching over you to make sure you have a safe and successful surgery!!”
“Giving you all of my prayers, I’ve watched you grow up on YouTube,” one follower said. “Never once have I doubted you, you are strong. You are going to beat this without a doubt 💪🏽💙.”
Luke celebrated his girlfriend Jules’ birthday with a celebratory social media post last month.
“I love you ❤️❤️❤️,” he shared via Instagram.
