Dale Hawerchuk's cancer has come back.

I'm sorry guys but unfortunately this Sunday seems like it is a day for bad news. 

According to comments made by Eric Hawerchuk, the son of former National Hockey League great Dale Hawerchuk, his father has once again been diagnosed with cancer after having seemingly beat the terrible disease earlier this year. Eric has stated that his father intends to continue his difficult battle with the disease and his message appeared to be an appeal for support, which I hope all of you reding this will give Dale.

From Eric:

My dad is back in his fight against cancer due to a resurgence of this terrible disease. We are praying for him and he will continue to fight hard.

Dale, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, had previously announced that he had undergone his final round of chemotherapy back in April and at the time appeared to be suggesting that he had beaten the disease. As far too many of us known unfortunately cancer has a habit of recurring or relapsing in patients and unfortunately it seems as though Dale has proven to be one of those cases. 

Dale has already gone through so much, having undergone two rounds of chemotherapy as well as a surgical procedure called a gastrectomy where doctors remove a part, or all, of a patient's stomach. I can't help but feel sorry for the man, although I will say that if there is anyone who can survive an ordeal like this it will be a tough customer like Dale Hawerchuk. 

The news comes off the heels of another bit of bad news this morning involving former Toronto Maple Leafs great Eddie Lack. Like Hawerchuk, Lack had been diagnosed with cancer and was fighting for his life against the disease, but unfortunately the Maple Leafs announced this morning that Lack had lost his battle with the disease. 

My thoughts go out to both the Lack and the Hawerchuk families this morning and frankly they go out to any and all of you reading this who may have also lost a loved one to cancer. I know cancer is something I have had to write about far more than I would have liked to, and I can only imagine how many of you have also been impacted by this awful disease.