NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told Good Morning America that he has battled leukemia for nearly a year.

The 62-year-old said his prognosis is however good.

Addul-Jabbar said he came public to encourage those living with the disease that they can prevail; they can continue to live a meaningful life. Things do not have to stop all of a sudden, he said in the interview.

The star was diagnosed in December 2008 after noticing he was having hot flushes and sweats. Cancer runs in his family.