Montgomery County native and actor Kevin Saunders is once again battling leukemia after the cancer returned following a period of remission. A GoFundMe has been started by his family to help support him during this difficult time.
Saunders, who grew up in Gaithersburg and has appeared in productions including STARZ’s “BMF,” “Atlanta,” “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” “Cobra Kai,” and Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2,” is currently hospitalized and undergoing chemotherapy. According to an update shared by his family, his medical team is preparing him for a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
Saunders was first diagnosed with leukemia after visiting an emergency room on February 27, 2025. His family said he eventually reached remission following what they described as a difficult battle with the disease.
As his strength returned, Saunders began rebuilding his life and returning to his acting career. According to his family, he was filming a commercial when he learned that the leukemia had returned.
“Then, while filming a commercial, Kevin received the devastating news that the cancer had returned,” his family shared. “In an instant, the life he had fought so hard to reclaim gave way to another fight for his life.”
Saunders attended Whetstone and Stedwick elementary schools in Montgomery County before moving to Western Maryland at age 13. He returned to Gaithersburg at 20 and later attended the University of Maryland at College Park.
His acting career has included appearances in several high-profile television and film projects. Saunders previously described working on “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” as a “gift from God” and spoke about the experience of improvising alongside LaKeith Stanfield while appearing on “Atlanta.”
His family has relaunched efforts to raise money through GoFundMe as Saunders begins the next stage of treatment. Donations will help with treatment-related costs, transportation, caregiving and everyday living expenses while he may be unable to work for an extended period.
The family said Saunders remains in good spirits as chemotherapy begins and is hopeful the transplant will allow him to regain his health and eventually return to acting.
“Kevin has already faced leukemia with extraordinary courage,” his family wrote. “Even now, as chemotherapy begins, he remains in good spirits and holds on to the hope that this transplant will allow him to regain his health, return to the life and career he loves, and continue advocating for a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers.”
Those unable to contribute financially are being asked to share the fundraiser and keep Saunders and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
