By Miriam Falco, CNN
NEW YORK (CNN) – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest college and professional basketball players of all time, says he has been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer.
"I have chronic myeloid leukemia," Abdul-Jabbar told CNN. He said he received the diagnosis last December.
The 62-year-old former center for the Los Angeles Lakers said aside from having to see his doctor and checking his blood levels on a regular basis, having chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) hasn't significantly affected his quality of life.
Abdul-Jabbar said he's going public now to educate people about this disease.
"I think it's possible for someone in my position to help save lives," he said.