The 74-year-old journalism legend has been battling cancer since August. Former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw has multiple myeloma, "a cancer affecting blood cells in the bone marrow," according to the network. Doctors say they are optimistic about the progress he is making. Brokaw, who stepped down as NBC Nightly News anchor in 2004, has since been working as a special correspondent. In a statement released with NBC's announcement, Brokaw sounded positive about his prognosis.
With the exceptional support of my family, medical team and friends, I am very optimistic about the future and look forward to continuing my life, my work and adventures still to come. I remain the luckiest guy I know. I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter.
It's astonishing how much Brokaw has done since the Mayo Clinic diagnosed him in August. NBC says that through his treatment, Brokaw has worked on a two-hour documentary on the assassination of JFK and made appearances on the network's various new shows. "He is also contributing to NBC Sports coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi."
Like many other cancer patients, Brokaw has to balance taking care of his health with keeping up with the rest of his life. Sometimes that can help you remain positive, which can go a long way toward fighting the disease. It sounds like Brokaw and the network wanted to wait to see how the treatment went before they went public with the news. Today, as dramatic as this announcement is, at least they're able to put a positive spin on it.
We wish Brokaw well and hope he can continue to do the work he loves for as long as he wants to. Brokaw has said that Peter Jennings' death to lung cancer influenced his decision to step down as a news anchor and slow down. I'm sure he wants to stick around for as long as possible for his wife and three grown children.
Are you surprised to hear Brokaw has been fighting cancer since August?
Image via NBC News