PRORODEO Sports - April 24, 2026 Digital Edition

DEAN THOMPSON CONTINUED

Thompson began a four-stage chemotherapy treatment plan. Each stage features four to six chemo treatments over a three-week period, which adds up to 20 chemo treatments total. He’ll also undergo eight lumbar punc tures to make sure the cancer doesn’t spread into his spinal fluid. As of April 7, he’d undergone three treatments, with the first taking place on Easter Sunday, April 5. Doctors hope the treatment takes about 12 weeks with at least an addi tional three months of recovery time. “They’re pretty confident that because I’m young and I’m healthy and my blood counts have really held fairly steady,” Thompson said. “Then

cowboy. Thompson is in good spirits and feels good physically after his first few treatments. Though he knows there may be tough days ahead, he remains positive thanks to the support of his wife, his family, the rodeo community and his doctors, who acted quickly to put a plan into place. “I didn’t realize how much support and thoughts and prayers really made a difference,” Thompson said. “But there’s an energy that comes with those, and I just hope that people know that I can feel it, and I really am thank ful for them.”

I’ll be looking to go home. I’ll probably stay (in Salt Lake City) about one of every three weeks. One week (at the hospital) and then I’ll go home for two weeks before coming back.” Thompson said that the doctors are hopeful the treatment can be successful. Burkitt’s Lymphoma primarily affects chil dren and young adults and has a high survival rate if caught early. Thompson, who wasn’t experiencing any of the typical symptoms of the cancer, which include rapid swelling of the jaw, abdomen or lymph nodes, believes doctors found the growth during the early stages of the disease’s development. “It’s going to get worse before it’s going to get better,” he said. “But I

Dean Thompson, the 2024 PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion, diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. PRCA photo by Lara St Jacques

do believe it’s going to get better. After these treatments, I swear I can look in the mirror and see this lump on the side of my neck decrease in volume.” Support for Thompson has been widespread within the PRORODEO community. Multiple cowboys, including former and current world champions, have reached out to Thompson and his wife, Chezney, in the days following his diagnosis. Fans on social media have also offered their support for the Utah

16 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE APRIL 24, 2026