On Tuesday morning Director of Athletics Bill Battle announced that he will undergo stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that Battle has been dealing with privately since his diagnosis in March of 2014.

He is expected to be away from the office for a few weeks, but he will remain in touch with senior athletic officials and continue to direct the athletics department from home.

“I am very comfortable with the diagnosis and treatment plan. I am looking forward to getting this behind me and continuing my active lifestyle, as well as continuing to lead our Athletics Department,” Battle said. “My experience has made it clear to me that cancer can be a treatable disease that can be dealt with while maintaining a high quality of life.”

Battle’s transplant will utilize his own stem cells for the procedure to limit any potential side effects following the procedure. He will be under the care of Sagar Lonial M.D., a world-renowned expert in the research and treatment of multiple myeloma, at The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Lonial described Battle’s condition as “a good partial remission.”

“Mr. Battle has been receiving treatment for multiple myeloma and has done very well,” said Dr. Lonial, who serves as the Winship Cancer Institute’s chief medical officer. “He will be undergoing stem cell transplantation, which is a routine part of treatment for myeloma. We anticipate his response and outcome will be outstanding and I fully expect to see him back on the sidelines in the fall, cheering Alabama on.”