“The Voice” candidate reveals he has terminal cancer and crosses things off his bucket list

The voice Contestant and country singer Matt Snook announced that he has terminal cancer. He is trying to live his life as best as he can by crossing things off his bucket list. Viewers may remember him from season 8 of The voice.

They say that the taste of death makes life sweeter, and Snook is not letting his diagnosis stop him from living. He recently had the opportunity to play in the 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event, a dream come true for the avid poker player. Snook has been playing in tournaments since 2019.

“I got a bunch of friends together and they basically helped me out,” Snook told PokerNews. “It’s the coolest tournament in the world and I love it.”

However, it is all bittersweet. For many, life seems limitless. Everyone knows they will die one day, but they don’t feel the ticking of the clock quite as much. Snook is well aware that he probably won’t get the chance to play in another poker tournament. That makes it all the more special. “On January 3, I was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer and this will probably be one of my last tournaments,” Snook explained.

The voice The candidate explained that he started feeling unwell in late 2023. In January 2024, doctors diagnosed him with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC). “It starts in the kidney and goes to the bones. I have it everywhere,” he said of his condition. They gave him only six months to a year to live.

Speaking to Platte County Citizen, Snook explained that he initially thought he had a cold. Unfortunately, after the diagnosis, he gave up on his singing dreams. “I couldn’t breathe well and had a persistent cough,” Snook said. “My last musical performance was November 12, 2023. I had Michael Peterson fly in from Las Vegas to perform at a private event. He was very kind and helped me out with a few performances that weekend by carrying the equipment and singing a few extra sets.”

“The Voice” candidate does not treat his cancer

In January, he went to the emergency room because he knew something was wrong. “I was diagnosed with cancer in the emergency room, but the cause was unclear,” Snook said. “Towards the end of January, after several procedures and deep bone tissue surgery, I was diagnosed with renal sarcomatoid carcinoma. It is an incurable and rare kidney disease.”

Snook is no longer treating his cancer because the treatment wasn’t helping. “I’ve lived such a blessed life, I feel good today, had a rough night last night and I plan to try to work through what I need to work through,” he said. “Poker players know poker is a tough battle and life is a tough battle. But I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I don’t want pity. I’ve just lived a blessed life and I’m happy to be here.”

He had the opportunity to find an audience as a singer, and that is a dream he will always be grateful for. “I’m very blessed. I’ve sung in deserts and in hospitals, like in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Snook. About his time with The voiceSnook thought about joining Team Blake Shelton and appearing on television.

“It was a wonderful experience,” he said.