Gord Downie, co-founder and frontman of influential Canadian alternative outfit the Tragically Hip, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The band confirmed the news in a statement posted Tuesday morning. “A few months ago, in December, Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Since then, obviously, he’s endured a lot of difficult times, and he has been fighting hard. In privacy along with his family, and through all of this, we’ve been standing by him."

However, the diagnosis won't keep Downie from joining the band for one final tour this summer. "After 30-some years together as the Tragically Hip, thousands of shows, and hundreds of tours… We’ve decided to do another one. This feels like the right thing to do now, for Gord, and for all of us."

Downie, 52, founded the Tragically Hip in 1984 with guitarist Rob Baker and bassist Gord Sinclair. They've released 12 albums, nine of which topped the Canadian charts. They're set to release their thirteenth album, Man Machine Poem, on June 17.

“What we in the Hip receive, each time we play together, is a connection; with each other; with music and it’s magic; and during the shows, a special connection with all of you, our incredible fans," the band wrote. "So, we’re going to dig deep, and try to make this our best tour yet. We hope you can come out and join us this summer – details and dates will be coming this week.”

Read the full statement below.

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