14 DAY TRIAL // Veteran NBC newsman Tom Brokaw has revealed in a statement today that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The news shocked fans as Brokaw is one of the most beloved TV personalities and has been a staple for the network since 1966.
The statement released by NBC talked of a cancer diagnosis from last year in August, “NBC News Special Correspondent Tom Brokaw revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer and said he and his physicians are very encouraged with the progress he is making.”
It went on to reveal more on the matter, “Brokaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting blood cells in the bone marrow, in August at the Mayo Clinic. His doctors are optimistic about the outcome of the treatment he is receiving.”
The presenter is also optimistic about the outcome of the diagnosis and maintains that he is still the luckiest guy he knows, being confident that he will overcome the disease and enjoy more years surrounded by friends and family.
He thanks everyone for the interest they showed him, but insists on keeping the matter private: “I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter.”
The 74-year-old is best known for the news segment NBC Nightly News, which he's hosted continuously for 22 years until 2004. At the moment, he still works for the network in the form of a special correspondent.
Brokaw is also contributing to the NBC Sports coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia for the duration of his treatment.
Back in 2012, Brokaw revealed in an interview that he was convinced to retire by the tragic death of ABC news anchor Peter Jennings from lung cancer. He acknowledged that it stimulated him to spend more time outside the office and not worry about live broadcasts and ratings so much.