Chad Gilbert Faces Brain Surgery After New Tumors Are Discovered Amid Cancer Battle

Chad Gilbert, guitarist and singer of the iconic pop-punk band New Found Glory, has shared a heartbreaking update about his ongoing battle with cancer. The 45-year-old musician, who was first diagnosed with the rare adrenal gland cancer metastatic pheochromocytoma in 2021, recently underwent brain surgery after doctors discovered three new tumors.

In an emotional post shared on Instagram on March 23, Gilbert opened up about the difficulties he’s faced in the past few months. His health crisis began on February 20, following a show in Nashville, where he noticed troubling symptoms. “I was struggling to control the movements of my left hand. My left leg was getting weaker by the day, and I started stumbling and falling at times,” he revealed.

Concerned by these symptoms, Gilbert went to the emergency room on February 23, where a CT scan revealed the presence of three new tumors in his brain. Just four days later, on February 27, he underwent brain surgery. “I had successful brain surgery and have been recovering in the hospital since,” he wrote. “I regained function of my left hand immediately 🙏🏻.”

Despite the serious nature of his diagnosis, Gilbert’s post-cancer journey has been one of resilience and optimism. The musician has faced multiple challenges since his diagnosis, with the disease spreading to his spine and lungs. In August 2025, he disclosed that doctors had found a “small spot” in his back, prompting further treatments. Yet, through it all, Gilbert has maintained a fighting spirit.

His radiation oncologist gave him words of encouragement, saying, “This is not a fatal blow and not the end of your story, just the beginning of a new chapter.” With these words, Gilbert remains determined to keep fighting. He admitted that his recovery has been “bumpy” at times but assured fans that he’s “feeling much better now and getting stronger by the day.”

The recovery process has been grueling, but Gilbert expressed gratitude to everyone who’s supported him throughout his journey. He thanked those who have checked in on him and his family, sharing the emotional toll the battle has taken. “Thankful to everyone who’s checked in on me and helped my family during this lengthy and challenging journey,” he wrote.

The heartfelt post was accompanied by a few photos of Gilbert in the hospital, undergoing physical therapy and spending time with his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. One photo shows Gilbert holding up a note from their daughter, Lily, 4, that read, “I love you! You’re the best! See you soon.” It was a tender reminder of the deep love and support surrounding him during this difficult time.

While he’s still recovering and unable to use his phone much, Gilbert remains hopeful for the future. He closed his message with optimism, telling fans, “Can’t use my phone much yet and have a lot of messages to catch up on. More stories to come when my brain is working well again. Love you all and am looking forward to sharing more music and fun with you as we come out of this ❤️.”

Gilbert’s courageous fight against cancer continues to inspire his fans, who have been following his journey closely. Throughout his health battles, he has shown resilience and strength, both on and off the stage. His fans and the members of New Found Glory are standing by his side, eagerly awaiting his recovery and return to the music scene.

As Chad Gilbert recovers from his surgery and continues his treatment, he remains a beacon of hope and determination for many who are fighting their own battles. The support from his fans, family, and bandmates serves as a reminder that no one has to face such a journey alone. We wish him all the best as he navigates this difficult chapter, and we look forward to hearing more from him in the future, both personally and musically.