Sara Sidner, a journalist for CNN, has had to face one of the hardest moments of her life and career. The presenter, 51, made a moving announcement live, on her own show, talking about the hard time she is going through in her personal life: she suffers from breast cancer.
It was last Monday, when the presenter decided to reveal to the viewers of the program that she suffers from the disease just before the end of the program. She didn’t do it just any way, but she gave a powerful speech that left no one indifferent.
“As we finish our broadcast, I have a personal comment that I would like to share with you. I want to start by asking you a big favor, take a second to remember the names of eight women you know. Only eight. Count them on your fingers,” he asked the spectators.
The journalist continued explaining the reason for such a request. “Statistically, one of them has breast cancer. I am that one in eight in my group of friends,” she confessed, excited, to the surprise of those who watched the program.
“I have never been sick. I don’t smoke, I rarely drink. Breast cancer is not hereditary in my family. And yet, here I am, with stage three breast cancer,” she revealed, sincerely, assuring that it was ” difficult to “say” out loud.
The journalist also said that she was in her second month receiving chemotherapy, the first step of a long treatment, in which she will also undergo radiotherapy sessions and a double mastectomy.
Despite her excitement and nervousness when reporting her condition, the journalist assured that she felt optimistic, since stage three breast cancer is no longer “a death sentence” for the majority of women who suffer from it; Although she did want to emphasize that black women are more likely to die from this disease.
By confessing her illness and condition, the presenter thus wanted to raise awareness about cancer and encourage all women to use all prevention measures and resources at their disposal, such as self-examinations or mammograms.
“There is something that I could never have predicted would happen to me. I have thanked cancer for choosing me. I am learning that no matter what hell we go through in life. I am still madly in love with this life and the mere fact of being alive makes me feel really different now,” she said, unable to avoid tears.
Sidner insists that the illness is a “blessing” in disguise, as he is “happier” than before. “I’m happier because I don’t stress over stupid things that used to bother me. And now, every day I breathe, I can celebrate that I’m still here with you. I’m with my co-workers, with my friends and family. And I can love, cry, laugh and have hope. And that, friends, is enough.”
