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Peter Jennings :: ABC News

5 April 2005 2 views 7 Comments

‘World News Tonight’ Anchor to Begin Chemotherapy

Peter Jennings, Anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight, sent an email to his staff today announcing that he has lung cancer.

Dear All – Forgive me the group mailing – but it seems the easiest way to tell a lot of people I care for ….. about a change in my life.

I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise.

As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemotherapy next week. I will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky!

Almost 10 million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this news division.

Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family right now.

Peter

ABC News also announced that he will be talking about it on the news tonight.

Jennings starts chemo-therapy on Monday. He plans to continue his duties as anchor.

From Romenesko at PoynterOnline.

Update: Peter Jennings was amazing on this evening’s ABC News. His ability to express his feelings and how he is dealing with, and will deal with, the reality of lung cancer is commendable, to say the least. Just one wonderful part of this is how he will serve as the best possible spokesperson and role model for the cause of cancer research and why we all shouldn’t smoke. I have even more respect for him and his solid character after experiencing his presentation at the conclusion of the news.

7 Comments »

  • Sheron French UNITED STATES Windows XP Internet Explorer 6.0 said:

    Dear Mr. Jennings:
    My husband had cancer and is winning the battle.
    Remember that God is with you and will be beside
    you all the way. My family is praying for you
    and your family.
    In His Name,
    Bless and protect you.

    # 29 April 2005 at 5:12 pm
  • Thelia McGregor Windows XP Internet Explorer 6.0 said:

    Dear Mr. Jennings, We are so sorry to hear of your recent health problems. Our prayers are with you and your family. We know that you will Fight the good fight, with all of your might, and will come out the victor. We certainly do miss you in your evening ABC anchor chair each night, but we are waiting until you will return!! Thank you for all of the years that you have been in our homes each night with the news coverage. We do appreciate you. Sincerely, Rae and Thelia McGregor PS. My husband is from Canada too.

    # 3 May 2005 at 5:15 pm
  • Rachel UNITED STATES Windows XP Internet Explorer 6.0 said:

    Dearest petie,
    I miss you on the evening news,and your wonderful smile most of all. Be assured I am praying for you and believing that my prayers are be answered
    even as I write this.
    Sincerest love,
    Rachel

    # 9 May 2005 at 2:04 pm
  • Lynn Vendely UNITED STATES Windows XP Internet Explorer 6.0 said:

    Dear Mr. Jennings,
    I am very sorry to hear about your battle with lung cancer. My own sister is battling throat cancer, and from everything the doctors have recently said it is gone except for a very small sliver where it used to be! She has been drinking a soy based drink called Haelan. I found it on the Internet in February and she has been taking it ever since! Please believe me, prayer, Haelan, and the chemotherapy are what saved my sister’s life. If you are interested in learning more about Haelan and feel like this is something you would like to try, then go to haelanpartners(dot)com. Please believe me, it works! It saved my sister’s life and it can save you too! Don’t EVER give up! GOD BLESS YOU!
    FROM,
    LYNN VENDELY

    # 12 May 2005 at 8:20 pm
  • Robert UNITED STATES Windows XP Mozilla Firefox 1.0 (author) said:

    I must admit that I’m a bit puzzled by all these comments. If the comments were not coming from wildly different IP addresses, I would think that this was someone’s idea of a joke.

    So, kind visitors, I hope you realize that this is not Mr. Jennings blog.

    I can agree with the sentiments that we wish Mr. Jennings all the best.

    # 12 May 2005 at 9:30 pm
  • Liisa Varhalla UNITED STATES Windows 2000 Internet Explorer 6.0 said:

    Dear Mr. Jennings
    You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I have no doubt that you will beat this cancer!!! You have always shown great courage and humanism…strength to carry us through the good,bad,and ugly. You come into our livingrooms and are family to all of us…please let us all give you our strength and courage to help you…you are sincerely wished the very best,A COMPLETE RECOVERY!!!!!!!

    # 25 May 2005 at 3:28 pm
  • Chase Windows XP Mozilla Firefox 1.0.4 said:

    I acutally shot a promo with Peter Jennings about 10 years ago when I was a local news anchor. He was smoking on set if I remember correctly. He was a great guy..I was in and still am in awe of him. I have always thought he was the best of the big three.

    # 25 May 2005 at 5:47 pm