Jack McCaffery Takes Leave for Lymphoma Treatment
The University of Richmond basketball player is receiving care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Cancer
Jack McCaffery, son of Fran McCaffery, has taken indefinite medical leave from the University of Richmond basketball team after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He was evaluated by Richmond's medical staff before traveling home with his parents and was then admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where treatment has begun.
Why it matters
The diagnosis underscores that Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, can affect young adults and interrupt athletic careers. Clear medical leave and hospital-based care are central to how student athletes with serious illness are supported across the United States.
The available evidence is a confirmed diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma and an admission to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, with no staging or survival figures reported. Key details such as disease stage, treatment regimen, and expected recovery period remain unknown.
The players
Jack McCaffery
The son of Fran McCaffery, Jack McCaffery is a University of Richmond basketball player who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and is now receiving treatment in Philadelphia.
Fran McCaffery
Fran McCaffery is a veteran college basketball coach whose son Jack is now recovering from Hodgkin lymphoma treatment.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is a major academic medical center in Philadelphia, part of Penn Medicine, where Jack McCaffery is receiving treatment.
The details
Jack McCaffery was evaluated by University of Richmond medical staff earlier in the week of November 8, 2026, then traveled home with his parents before being admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He has begun treatment there and will remain hospitalized under Penn Medicine care, while the university has placed him on indefinite medical leave from the basketball team.
Timeline
Earlier in the week of November 8, 2026: University of Richmond medical staff evaluated Jack McCaffery.
Week of November 8, 2026: Jack McCaffery was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and began treatment.
Big Picture
The case illustrates how young patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are commonly referred to academic cancer centers such as Penn Medicine's hematologic oncology program in Philadelphia. Hodgkin lymphoma is among the more treatable cancers, and care at such centers reflects the multidisciplinary model used for lymphatic system cancers in the United States.
For people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, the report shows that initial evaluation, hospital admission, and specialized treatment at an academic center are the practical steps that follow diagnosis. Anyone experiencing persistent swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss should seek medical evaluation promptly.
The takeaway
Early medical evaluation and prompt referral to specialized care are the key steps in managing a serious diagnosis like Hodgkin lymphoma, and this report shows how quickly a diagnosis can lead to hospital treatment. Persistent symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes warrant timely medical attention.
Further reading
For more on the disease at the center of this report, explore our Cancer coverage.
