Def Leppard Guitarist Vivian Campbell’s Cancer Is In Remission Thanks To Stem Cell Donor

Def Leppard’s guitarist Vivian Campbell is celebrating some incredible news—he’s officially in complete remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the first time since his diagnosis back in 2013. The 62-year-old rocker shared the update in a recent interview with Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, thanking the young stem cell donor who helped save his life.

Campbell has faced a long road with his health. After a failed transplant using his own cells and a canceled donor match, things finally turned around at the end of 2023.

A Perfect Match at Last

“I lost my donor 10 days beforehand, so that was a kick in the nuts,” Campbell said. “But I was very fortunate that they found me another one in December. And on New Year’s Eve, I went into hospital. I was in for about three and a half weeks, and I did what has turned out to be a really, really successful transplant.”

Now, after years of setbacks, Campbell got the news he’s been hoping for.

“I did a PET scan in the middle of April, and I’m 100% clean, completely in remission for the first time in 12 or 13 years. And I’m obviously overjoyed. You couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Gratitude for a Life-Saving Stranger

The successful transplant came from a 21-year-old man who was a perfect match. “There are 10 genetic markers, and this donor was 10 out of 10,” Campbell said. “A young man, actually. I don’t get to know who he is for a couple of years, but… Obviously, I’m gonna buy him a beer or two or three.”

He added:

“He put his name on the donor registry, for no reason other than he’s a good person. There are a lot of good people out there, I’m glad to say.”

Campbell hopes to thank the donor one day:

“After two years, they give you the option to contact your donor… It’s a life-saving proposition, so I’d certainly want to express my gratitude.”

Now fully recovered, Campbell is gearing up to rejoin Def Leppard on their summer North American tour—this time, with a clean bill of health and a grateful heart.

Def Leppard Summer 2025 Tour Dates

Catch Def Leppard’s summer tour in your area at these dates:

June
June 19: Milwaukee Summerfest, WI
June 21: Thackerville Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort, OK
June 23: Rogers Walmart AMP, AR
June 25: Birmingham Coca-Cola Amphitheater, AL
June 28: Atlantic City Borgata Event Center, NJ

July
July 01: Bangor Maine Savings Amphitheater, ME
July 03: Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena, CT
July 06: – Québec FEQ 2025, Canada
July 09: Winnipeg Princess Auto Stadium, Canada
July 10-13: Craven Country Thunder, Canada
July 11: Edmonton Rockin’ Thunder, Canada
July 16: Ottawa Blues Festival, Canada
July 18: Mount Pleasant Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, MI
July 20: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, NY
July 22: Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center, NY

August
August 12: Albuquerque Isleta Amphitheater, NM
August 14: Des Moines lowa State Fair Grandstand, IA
August 16: Springfield Illinois State Fair, IL
August 20: Highland Yaamava’ Theater, CA
August 26: St Paul Minnesota State Fair MN
August 29: Hollywood Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, FL
August 31: Virginia Beach Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, VA