Daniel Wright, Contestant on ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Dies at 30: Reports

A stock photo shows an ambulance with lights flashing. Joshua Lott/Getty Images

A former “Biggest Loser” contestant died at the age of 30, according to reports on May 28.

The cause of death for Daniel Wright was leukemia, said fellow contestants who appeared on the show. He had competed on the show’s seventh and eighth seasons and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2017, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“He has fought SO HARD during his battle with cancer & more,” she said via social media. “This man is one of the kindest people I have ever met & is a true difference maker in this world! His faith has never faded, even in the darkest of times. I am honored to have known him!!!”

Before his death, Wright’s wife posted several updates about his health on social media, saying that he suffered from blood clots, fever, infections, and other symptoms.

Respess, referring to his wife, said to “please keep him & his beautiful, amazing, and beyond strong wife Rebecca Wright in your prayers today as he is being called to heaven. Rebecca will need all of us to lift her up now & for the months & years to come.”

Meanwhile, “The Biggest Loser’s” season eight winner Danny Cahill issued a statement on Wright’s death.

“As the picture shows, he never missed a chance to double back and encourage every soul in the fight of their lives to keep going, and ensure us we would make it. He gave me so many gifts, not only there, but in years after,” he said on Facebook.

He added: “And I can honestly say that because of him I am a better man. He showed me (by example - not by telling me) how to care for others in a different way, and I thank God for being able to know this man for the 10 years I have known him. We could all learn a lesson from him how important it is to leave a mark of love on those we meet, to lay down differences and to see similarities, and to serve those around us in any way we can.”

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood.

“The word ‘acute’ in acute lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that the disease progresses rapidly and creates immature blood cells, rather than mature ones. The word ‘lymphocytic’ in acute lymphocytic leukemia refers to the white blood cells called lymphocytes, which ALL affects. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” the Mayo Clinic.

The website adds: “Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children, and treatments result in a good chance for a cure. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can also occur in adults, though the chance of a cure is greatly reduced.”

Meanwhile, WebMD says the cancer can cause death within a few months if it’s not treated.

“For most people, the cause of ALL is unknown. For this reason, there is no known way to prevent it. However, there are a few known risk factors for this type of leukemia. This means these factors may increase your chances of getting acute lymphoblastic leukemia. But it is not yet known whether these risk factors are actual causes of the disease,” the website says.