This weekend, nu metal band Coal Chamber will grace the Sick New World stage in Las Vegas. It’s a big moment for the band that reunited back in 2023, but it’s got a whole new meaning for drummer Mikey Cox. And that’s because he’s faced down and beaten stage 3 cancer.
The shocking news that he even received a cancer diagnosis came in an Instagram post, in which he outlined not just his diagnosis from April 1, 2025, but the “dark” and difficult road he experienced afterward. And though his treatments included radiation, chemo, and surgery, he managed to get out the other side and enter the recovery stage.
Now, with nothing but good news on the cancer front hopefully on the horizon, Cox announced that he’s partering with Fxck Cancer to auction off a custom, 1-of-1 drum kit with the proceeds going to cancer support, awareness, and research. Cox said in a prepared statement that he chose Fxck Cancer because of how they approach cancer awareness, opting to focus on early detection with younger demographics and the music world as a whole.
Rather than mince his words and paraphrase, here’s Cox’s announcement in full:
“GRATITUDE. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it hits differently for me these days.
“April 1, 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. I’m not unique. It feels like a lot of us are dealing with this or know someone who is. It’s dark, it’s scary, and it changes the lives of everyone in its orbit.
“The first thing I said to my wife was that I was going to fight with everything I had for my family! There were a lot of days I couldn’t make it out of bed, but I didn’t want cancer to define me. So, I finished building the house I was working on with my Bash Construction Group company, and I wrote some of the best music of my life! After a yearlong battle and absolutely brutal rounds of radiation, chemotherapy, and eventually surgery, I’m so grateful to be able to say I made it to CANCER FREE.
“The second thing I said to myself was that I wanted to create something positive out of this situation, and that’s where we are today. I hope you’ll join me as I partner with Fxck Cancer to auction off a custom, one-of-a-kind drum kit from ddrum, Scorpion Percussion, TRX Cymbals, and Gator Cases with proceeds to bring awareness, support and resources to those who may find themselves in this unpredictable and unwanted community of warriors.
“I’ll have so many people to thank and share my story with in the coming days, and I will be highlighting some of the amazing people and organizations that are working with us to make this goal of mine a reality. Today I celebrate life, healing, and the strength it takes to survive. I cannot wait to get back on stage post-cancer. These upcoming shows are going to be something truly special.
“I chose to partner with Fxck Cancer, because of its bold, direct approach to a disease. Their work breaks stigma, encourages honest conversations, and promotes early detection in a way that resonates – especially with younger audiences and the music community. Its unapologetic voice makes the message feel urgent, relatable and empowering, helping people face cancer head-on instead of avoiding it.”