People remember the image of Nick Foles standing on the Super Bowl podium, gold confetti raining down, holding his baby daughter Lily James. It’s one of the most iconic "dad" moments in NFL history. But because that visual was so powerful, the internet has a funny way of twisting the story as years go by. Lately, you’ve probably seen searches or social media whispers asking about "Nick Foles daughter cancer."
Honestly? It's a bit of a mix-up.
If you are looking for the truth about Lily or the Foles family health battles, the reality is actually quite different from the rumors. While the Foles family has walked through some incredibly dark and scary medical valleys, their daughter Lily has not been diagnosed with cancer. However, the confusion usually stems from two very real, very public events: a heartbreaking miscarriage and a fan's viral story that shared the same timeline as the Eagles’ Super Bowl run.
Why People Think Nick Foles' Daughter Had Cancer
The internet is basically a giant game of "telephone." One person reads a headline, another person skims a tweet, and suddenly two separate stories merge into one.
The "cancer" connection likely comes from a deeply emotional post on the Philadelphia Eagles subreddit years ago. During that magical 2017-2018 season, a fan shared that their 3-year-old daughter had been diagnosed with a Wilms tumor (kidney cancer) the exact same weekend Carson Wentz got hurt. That fan wrote about how watching Nick Foles step in and lead the team gave them hope during pediatric chemo sessions. It was a beautiful, viral moment that connected Foles' underdog story to a real-life battle with cancer.
Because that story was so closely tied to Nick’s legacy in Philly, it’s easy to see how some people started remembering it as Nick’s daughter. But Lily James Foles, who was just a baby during that Super Bowl, has remained healthy.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
The Real Health Battle: Tori Foles and POTS
While Lily was okay, Nick's wife, Tori, was fighting a "ghost" illness for years. This is the health struggle Nick actually talks about in his book, Believe It.
Tori Foles suffers from POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and Lyme Disease. For a long time, doctors told her it was all in her head or just "anxiety." Imagine being an elite college athlete—which Tori was, playing volleyball at Arizona—and suddenly you can’t stand up without your heart racing to 130 beats per minute.
It was a nightmare.
- The Diagnosis: It took forever to find a doctor who took her seriously.
- The Impact: At her worst, Tori couldn't even go to the grocery store alone.
- The Persistence: Nick has often said that watching Tori fight POTS gave him the perspective he needed to handle being benched or traded in the NFL.
They’ve become huge advocates for the Dysautonomia International community, even donating book proceeds to POTS research. So, when you hear about "health issues" in the Foles family, this is usually the primary focus.
The Tragedy the Foles Family Actually Faced
There is a reason the Foles family talks about "miracle babies," and it’s not because of a cancer recovery. In May 2019, Tori and Nick went through something every parent dreads.
🔗 Read more: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
Tori was about 15 weeks pregnant with their second child. She suddenly came down with a severe infection—streptococcus pneumonia. It wasn't just a "bad cold." It went into her bloodstream, and she went into sudden, agonizing labor.
They lost their son, whom they named Duke, during that miscarriage.
It was a public tragedy. Nick took time away from the Jacksonville Jaguars (where he was playing at the time) to be with her. Tori later wrote about how the miscarriage actually saved her life; if she hadn't gone into labor and gone to the hospital when she did, the infection might have turned septic and killed her.
Where the Family Stands in 2026
Nick officially retired as a Philadelphia Eagle in late 2024, and since then, the focus has shifted entirely to "Dad Szn." That’s actually the name of his new project—DAD SZN—a lifestyle brand he launched with former teammate Pat O’Donnell.
They’re basically trying to normalize being an "active dad." You’ll see him posting about his kids—Lily, who is now a school-aged kid, and their younger son Duke (born in 2020, a "restoration" baby after their loss).
💡 You might also like: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
How to Support the Causes They Actually Care About
If you were moved by the "Nick Foles daughter cancer" rumor and wanted to help, the best way to honor the Foles family’s actual journey is by looking into the conditions they live with every day.
- POTS Research: This is a vastly underfunded area of medicine. Awareness for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome helps millions of women who are currently being misdiagnosed.
- Lyme Disease Awareness: Tori's struggle with Lyme shows how chronic infections can trigger other autoimmune issues.
- Pregnancy Loss Support: The Foles have been very open about their miscarriage to help other couples feel less alone.
The Foles story isn't one of a child beating cancer, but it is one of a family refusing to let "invisible" illnesses or personal grief break them. Lily James is doing great, Nick is enjoying retirement, and they’re using their platform to shine a light on POTS and the realities of fatherhood.
If you're following their journey today, look for updates on the DAD SZN partnership with Burn Boot Camp. It’s their latest move to stay involved in the health and fitness world while keeping family at the center.
The best way to stay informed about their specific health advocacy is to follow Tori Foles’ blog, "Healing As We Go," where she occasionally shares updates on her management of POTS and their life post-NFL. This is the most reliable source for their family news, straight from the people living it.