Zac Brown Band's John Driskell Hopkins is giving an update on his ongoing battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS. Hopkins was diagnosed with ALS in December of 2021, waiting several months to share the devastating health news.
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ALS is a degenerative, terminal disease, with no known cure. But in spite of his physical limitations, Hopkins remains determined to live life to the fullest. It's why he remains an integral part of the Zac Brown Band.
"For me, keeping going is really important," Hopkins tells People. "I feel like if I did sit in a recliner and played the whole 'woe is me' card, I would be a lot worse off."
Hopkins is still performing, but he admits he has had to adjust how he plays. Grateful to still be on stage, the 54-year-old also misses the proficiency he once had.
"I have to play some different parts on the guitar now because my original parts were a lot faster, so I'm adjusting," Hopkins reveals. "I'm not jumping on stage with [fellow band members] Clay [Cook] and Coy [Bowles] anymore, and I miss that. I really wish I could run out into the thrust and jump, but I am parked at my microphone, and they come run over to me and they never let me feel like I'm not involved. And that's wonderful."
John Driskell Hopkins Response To Having ALS
Hopkins refuses to stop living because of his ALS. But he's also determined to do all he can to help find a cure. He launched his Hop On a Cure foundation after receiving his diagnosis, to raise money for research
"I do see Hop on a Cure shirts in the crowd," Hopkins says. "I do feel the support and I do see it in their faces and on their shirts and hats, and I'm very grateful that years after a diagnosis like this that I'm still able to perform."
"We're dedicating a lot of time and energy to finding the best research projects out there," he adds. "A lot of them don't have funding, so we're able to fund something that costs anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 sometimes. It's incredible to be able to help like that."
After his diagnosis, Hopkins released "I Love You Forever" as a letter to his wife, Jennifer, and their daughters. He also recently released another new song, "Each Other."
