Al Roker is thankful for ‘good thoughts, wishes and prayers’ after revealing prostate cancer diagnosis
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Article By Dick James // EEW Magazine Online // Health
When America’s favorite Emmy Award winning Weatherman and morning TV co-host Al Roker revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery to have his prostate removed, prayers and support flowed to him.
“I want to thank everyone sending all the good thoughts, wishes and prayers our way,” tweeted the 66-year-old.
“It’s a good news-bad news kind of thing,” Roker said on NBC’s “Today.” “Good news is we caught it early. Not great news is that it’s a little aggressive, so I’m going to be taking some time off to take care of this.”
Roker revealed he got the diagnosis Sept. 29. It began with a routine physical when his doctor discovered he had an elevated prostate-specific antigen in his bloodwork. That led to him getting an MRI followed by a biopsy to confirm his diagnosis.
Deborah Roberts and Al Roker (Credit: Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic)
The TV personality urged others at risk — particularly Black men — to ensure they see a doctor and get the proper checkups to stop a cancer that is very treatable if detected early.
“The problem for African Americans is that any number of reasons from genetics to access to health care, and so we want to make it available and let people know they got to get checked,” Roker said.
The father of three said he was by himself when he received the diagnosis which made his wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, upset.
“I feel badly, because I didn’t tell Deborah to come with me,” he said. “In hindsight, boy I wish I’d told her to come.”
Roberts, who is her husband’s greatest support, posted a sweet message to him on social media, saying, “For more than 25 years, this loving, generous and spirited man has been my rock and my respite. His gentle touch, quick wit and strong will...cherished by his family. He has taken on fierce storms, teen drama, and a NYC marathon. All with an unbreakable sense of humor and joy. Now he is taking on prostate cancer.”
She added, “I am prayerful and confident that Al will soon be back at it...embracing all that life offers for years to come. Thanks so much to all who’ve humbled us with your prayers, loving messages and calls. Al Roker and I continue to count our blessings.”
Despite the unfortunate nature of the circumstances, it is good to know that Roker and his family are covered in prayer, surrounded by love, and buoyed by their faith.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
