Allen Shellenberger, 38 year-old drummer for Orange County rock band Lit, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Lit made an initial announcement over their website on May 5th that a brain tumor had been discovered and the band was canceling their European tour dates with KISS. Biopsy results identified Shellenberger's cancer as malignant glioma. According to the National Cancer Institute, malignant glioma affects approximately 10,000 Americans per year. It is the same type of cancer Senator Edward M. Kennedy is battling. Allen's symptoms prior to diagnosis were numbness and tingling in the left side of his body.
Shellenberger is under the care of world-renowned neurosurgeons Dr. Hunt and Dr. Black at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute where he is pursuing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Despite the news, Allen is in good spirits and committed to the fight.
Lit, which has been both a brotherhood and a band for over 20 years, has enjoyed multi-platinum success and chart-topping singles including "My Own Worst Enemy," "Miserable," and others. After two decades together, the band continues to write, record and tour. "Allen's young and healthy and if anyone has a chance to beat this, it's him," says Lit guitarist Jeremy Popoff. "As sad and scared as we all are, we're standing by him and staying positive. We're going to fight this together."
