Season 7 Idol Semi-Finalist Battling Cancer

• May 21, 2008 05:54 PM ET
• by The Idol Chatters

American Idol semi-finalist Luke Menard, who made it to the top 16, was recently diagnosed with Hodkins Lymphoma, spokesperson Jane Victor from his a capella group confirmed to CBS news.

The singer was suffering from a lingering cough and chest pains, and though they thought he just had walking pneumonia, tests revealed a mass. Victor added "more testing led to the diagnosis of Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma."

Though this type of cancer is usually inoperable, the success rate of treatment is very high. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society Menard's type of cancer is now considered to be one of the most curable forms of cancer.

The 29-year-old singer, his wife and family "remain hopeful" about a full recovery.

Please send good wishes his way or post your thoughts below. - Erin Fox