Michael Buble has confirmed that his oldest son, Noah, has been diagnosed with cancer in a statement posted to Facebook on Friday morning.
The three-year-old boy is currently receiving treatment for the disease in the U.S., according to the post. The Canadian crooner wrote that he and his wife, Luisana Lopilato, an actress and model from Argentina, are “devastated” by the news and have put their careers on hold to care for their son.
“We have always been very vocal about the importance of family and the love we have for our children,” Buble said in the statement.
The Burnaby, B.C. native didn’t reveal what type of cancer Noah has in the Facebook post. The statement also said that no further information will be released.
Buble and Lopilato have two children, Noah and his younger brother Elias, who was born in January. The family celebrated Noah’s third birthday in August.
In a Facebook statement written in Spanish and translated into English, Lopilato asked people to pray for them and respect their privacy during this difficult time.
“We have a long road ahead of us and we hope that with the support of our family, friends, fans around the world and our faith in God, we can win this battle," she said in the statement.
An Argentinian newspaper, La Nacion, reported earlier in the week that the family initially thought Noah had a case of the mumps when they took him to the hospital.
The news comes at a busy time for the award-winning musician. Buble released a new album “Nobody But Me” in October and was chosen as the host of next year’s Brit Awards and Juno Awards. It’s not clear whether his son’s cancer diagnosis would affect those plans.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael and his family during this difficult time. We are respecting his request for privacy, as such we cannot comment on his participation in the 2017 Juno Awards at this time," said a Bell Media spokeswoman in a statement to The Canadian Press.
During a June 2014 conference call, the singer gushed about his son.
"I was always a happy guy, I always had a good life, but I didn't know how good it could be,” he said. “That's the truth. This kid has brought something to my life that I never knew was there. I didn't know that kind of love existed.”
With files from the Canadian Press
Tributes to the family began pouring in on social media following the announcement.
Sending lots of love to my friends @lulopilato @michaelbuble & baby Noah ❤️️
— Michelle Mone (@MichelleMone) November 4, 2016
����Our thoughts & prayers go out to our friend @michaelbuble Luisiana their family and especially little Noah. Our whole community is w you
— The NOLA Players (@TheNolaPlayers) November 4, 2016
I hope the news isn't true @michaelbuble if it is, welcome to the family. Not a family anyone should have to join but we are here for you.����
— MILK TYSON (@MILKTYSON) November 4, 2016
