Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Peter Jennings Has Cancer



I was disturbed by the news today that my favorite TV news anchor, Peter Jennings, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Jenning admitted on tonight's broadcast that he was a smoker until about 20 years ago and that he had a relapse during the stressful events of 9/11.

I had noticed in recent weeks that Jennings' voice had become a bit rougher than in the past. Perhaps he had a cold, I thought, or maybe his voice was deepening naturally with age. Apparently the cause of his vocal trouble was more serious than expected, and for tonight's television message he sounded downright raspy.

Although his doctor advised him not to travel for coverage of the Pope's funeral, Jennings said he will continue to anchor ABC's World News Tonight as much as possible during his treatment, which starts next week with chemotherapy. Jennings admitted that some days he may be cranky, but that other days he will be very cranky.

Peter Jennings has worked for ABC News more than 40 years. He was made anchor and senior editor of World News Tonight in 1983.

1 comment:

Flipsycab said...

Another indictment of of Big Tabacco. In your face, Tabacky! In your FACE! And lungs.

That's it, I'm going to hell.