According to EXODUS singer Steve “Zetro” Souza, drummer Tom Hunting is “doing really good,” a month after he started treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach.
A GoFundMe campaign to help Hunting with medical expenses has already raised more than $89,000 — including $5,000 from METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett, and $1,500 from FOZZY singer Chris Jericho.
Souza gave the update during the latest episode of his ‘Zetro’s Toxic Vault’ YouTube series, saying: (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I was actually with the whole band last Tuesday. We had a photo shoot. And I’ve gotta say Tom looks great. And from all of us, and him as well, we wanna thank all of you guys for all of your kind words, all of your financial support. And I want you guys to know that he’s one of the strongest individuals I’ve ever met in my life. That’s why he got so much love. He’s just such a great, amazing player, as that goes. He’s an awesome drummer — an innovator at what he does — and just an overall great dude, and everybody loves him.”
He continued: “[Tom’s] cut his hair off, and I thought he looks great, dude. I was walking up to him, going, like, ‘Hi, I’m Tom Hunting. I’ll be selling your house.’ He looks so professional. I told him, ‘Fuck, dude. I wouldn’t grow it back, if I was you.’
“Anyway, he’s great, and he looks great, and he’s beating this thing. Like he said in the press, he’s gonna beat it like a snare drum that owes him money, and he’s doing that right now. When you guys hear what he’s done on the new record and see him live, it’s gonna be really exciting for everyone. It makes it even that much more special as that comes out.”
Souza added: “I don’t wanna tell too much, because he’s very reserved on these types of things and he doesn’t really want me to talk about it. I just wanna let you guys know that he’s doing really good, and he looks really good, and his attitude and everybody around him is very positive. And that’s all I can say. He’s gonna lick this thing, no problem. And we’ll see you guys back with him right out on the road.”
Hunting revealed his diagnosis in a statement released on April 13, where he said: “Today I will be starting treatment for a squamous cell carcinoma. It’s a gastric tumor that was diagnosed in my upper stomach in February.
“I’m making this public to raise awareness for people to pay attention to symptoms of stomach and esophageal issues. If they persist, please go get it checked out.
“I’m not gonna be sheepish talking about it. I feel that if I can help someone with what I’ve learned, or someone out there has information to share with me, it’s a win-win! When you can name the enemy, it’s empowering, and you’re 1 step closer to killing it!
“Ok, you’ve heard the bad news. The good news is he feels great physically! I’m gonna beat this like a fucking snare drum that owes me money!!! I’ve had great doctors and a great support system that is an army in itself. I’m ready for the fight!”
After Hunting went public with his diagnosis, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt said that the band will “delay” the release of their recently completed new album, “Persona Non Grata”, “so that when Tom has defeated this, he will be back to full strength to hit the road and pummel his drums like only he can! When he has kicked cancer’s ass like we know he will, we will resume kicking YOUR asses with the sickest record yet!” he said.