Bristol Myers Squibb Teams With Kasey Keller to Spotlight CAR T Therapy In Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Soccer Legend Shares Cancer Journey

Bristol Myers Squibb announced a new collaboration with former U.S. soccer goalkeeper and broadcaster Kasey Keller, who is publicly sharing his experience with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) for the first time. Keller described a long treatment journey that eventually led him to Breyanzi, a personalized CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy made from a patient’s own immune cells and given as a single infusion. Through this partnership, he hopes to encourage others facing blood cancer diagnoses to become more informed and confident when discussing treatment options with their care teams.

Keller, a three-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year and the most-capped goalkeeper in U.S. Men’s National Team history, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and underwent multiple therapies that offered only temporary benefit. After receiving Breyanzi on his physician’s recommendation, his outlook changed, allowing him to reflect on years of uncertainty. Until now, he had largely kept his health journey private, sharing details only with close family and friends while focusing on each step of care.

“Throughout my career, I was trained to stay focused, stay ready, and never give up. But when I was diagnosed with lymphoma, I had to find a whole new kind of resilience,” said Keller. “Going through lymphoma and treatment with Breyanzi was unfamiliar territory, and I leaned heavily on my doctors, my family, and the mindset I’ve carried my entire life. I’m sharing my story because no one should have to navigate this alone. If hearing what I went through helps someone else feel empowered to take their next step, then it’s worth it.”

The campaign launches on World Cancer Day, emphasizing both patient experiences and the importance of awareness around available therapies. NHL, which originates in the lymphatic system, represents roughly 4% of all cancers globally. Despite the promise of CAR T-cell therapies, only about 20% of eligible patients currently receive them, largely due to logistical and geographic challenges, highlighting the need for broader education that Keller’s story aims to support.

“Every day, we see the strength and resilience of those living with blood cancer. We are grateful to Kasey for sharing his story, which reflects the experience of so many patients affected by lymphoma,” said Lynelle B. Hoch, president, Cell Therapy Organization, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Kasey’s story underscores the importance of helping patients better understand the potential promise of CAR T cell therapy. Knowing cure is the goal, we hope to inspire patients to talk to their doctors and explore treatment options that would best work for them.”

Clinical data cited by the company show that at a three-year follow-up, Breyanzi reduced the average risk of disease-related events by 62% compared with standard treatment. Bristol Myers Squibb noted that the CAR T process involves several steps, including blood collection, cell engineering, preparative therapy, infusion, and close monitoring for side effects, underscoring the complexity that continues to limit wider adoption.