NBA legend Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union, celebrated as one of Hollywood's most enduring power couples, faced their toughest challenge when Wade was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2023. The revelation came during a candid interview Union gave with Sherri Sheperd in March 2025, where she detailed the profound impact the diagnosis had on their marriage and family.
The Shocking Diagnosis That Shook Their World
During the ninth year of their marriage, Dwyane Wade received a life-altering medical diagnosis: kidney cancer. Gabrielle Union recently reflected on this period, describing how their world seemed to crumble instantly. She confessed to initially handling the news poorly, a common reaction when confronted with the terrifying 'C' word.
"Initially, not well at all," Union admitted during her conversation with Sheperd. "When you hear 'cancer,' you hear the diagnosis. Even though I have so many friends who are cancer survivors, you think of the worst-case scenario. I just thought he was going to be ripped out of my life, ripped out of our children's lives."
Navigating Marriage Through Sickness and Health
The couple, who have been together for over a decade and renewed their commitment in their "second innings" of marriage, found this health crisis tested their bond like never before. Union revealed that year nine of their marriage was particularly difficult, compounded by the fact that Wade wasn't immediately sharing his cancer diagnosis publicly.
"No one really knows how or what you're going to do until it's there, and neither of us handled it very well at all," Union stated with refreshing honesty. She emphasized how the experience brought them back to the core vows of marriage, noting, "When they say better for worse, for sickness and in health, it will literally bring you to the altar."
A Hopeful Outcome and Family Strength
Thankfully, the story has a positive conclusion. Dwyane Wade is currently cancer-free and has developed a profound appreciation for life, embracing gratitude daily. The Hall of Famer and his wife continue to cherish their family, which includes their daughter Kaavia James, whom they welcomed via surrogacy in 2017.
The couple's journey through cancer diagnosis and recovery stands as a powerful testament to resilience in both marriage and health, offering hope and perspective to others facing similar challenges.
