ABC's Peter Jennings diagnosed with lung cancer - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brent88 · 04-05-2005, 11:34 AM

Letter to staffers:

Dear All -- Forgive me the group mailing -- but it seems the easiest way to tell a lot of people I care for about a change in my life.

I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise.

As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemo-therapy next week. I will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky! Almost 10 million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this news division.

Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family right now.

Janice · 04-05-2005, 11:41 AM

ABC News: Peter Jennings Has Lung Cancer

(AP) Peter Jennings poses on the set of ABC's "World News Tonight"
in New York on Feb. 5, 2001....

NEW YORK (AP) - Peter Jennings, the chief ABC News anchorman for more than 20 years, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin outpatient treatment next week, the network said Tuesday.

Jennings, 66, has been feeling ill for the past several months and was replaced Saturday on coverage of the pope's death by anchor Charles Woodruff. He last anchored "World News Tonight" on Friday.

Jennings informed ABC News staff of the diagnosis Tuesday morning and said he will anchor the broadcast when he feels up to it over the next few months as he begins chemotherapy.

"There will be good days and bad, which means some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky," he told ABC News employees in an e-mail.

Charles Gibson, who's in Rome for the pope's funeral, and Elizabeth Vargas will be Jennings' primary substitutes on the evening news. Jennings first anchored ABC's evening newscast for two years in the 1960s, and was a Europe-based correspondent for the network after that. He started again as an anchor as ABC tried a multi-anchor format starting in 1978, then took over the broadcast himself in 1983.

Jenya · 04-05-2005, 11:42 AM

Sorry I can't copy the story, but here's the link from The Houston Chronicle.

Peter Jennings Diagnoised With Lung Cancer.

Seinatra · 04-05-2005, 11:52 AM

That is too bad, hope he pulls through in good shape. I actually got to 'meet' him when came to our high school for a visit.

Pavan · 04-05-2005, 11:57 AM

Message from David Westin:

This morning, Peter Jennings told his senior staff at World News Tonight that yesterday afternoon he was diagnosed with lung cancer. I include below the full text of Peter’s note to the group of people with whom he works most closely. He will begin outpatient treatment next week here in New York. It’s both Peter’s and my expectation that he will anchor World News Tonight during the period of treatment to the extent he can do so comfortably; but, we should also expect him to be off the broadcast from time to time, depending on how he feels. Charlie Gibson, Elizabeth Vargas, and others will be substituting for Peter as necessary and when their other responsibilities permit.

All of us at ABC News have watched over the years as Peter has led us on various assignments with strength and with courage. We’ve done our best to support him in these endeavors. Now, Peter’s been given a tough assignment. He’s already bringing to this new challenge the courage and strength we’ve seen so often in his reporting from the field and in anchoring ABC News. I know that all of us will give him every bit of support that he needs and asks for. Peter will once again lead the way, but we will stand with him at every turn.

Peter’s E-mail:

Dear All – Forgive me the group mailing – but it seems the easiest way to tell a lot of people I care for ….. about a change in my life.

I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise.

As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemo-therapy next week. I will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky! Almost 10 million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this news division.

Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family right now.

Peter

Brent88 · 04-05-2005, 12:02 PM

Listening to ABC News Radio right now... he's been with ABC for 41 years, since 1964. WOW!

Best of luck to Peter.

Miss Golden · 04-05-2005, 12:08 PM

Lung Cancer is not good, but I am praying he will come through this.

Kazza · 04-05-2005, 01:18 PM

ABC News: Peter Jennings Has Lung Cancer

21 minutes ago

Add to My Yahoo! Television - AP

By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

NEW YORK - Peter Jennings, the chief ABC News anchorman for more than 20 years, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin outpatient treatment next week, the network said Tuesday.

Photo
AP Photo

AFP Photo
AFP
Slideshow Slideshow: Peter Jennings

Jennings, 66, told ABC News staff members of his diagnosis Tuesday morning and said he will continue to anchor the broadcast when he feels up to it as he begins chemotherapy.

He last anchored "World News Tonight" Friday and was too ill to work Saturday during the network's special report on Pope John Paul II's death.

"There will be good days and bad, which means some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky," he told ABC News employees in an e-mail.

Charles Gibson, who's in Rome for the pope's funeral, and Elizabeth Vargas will be Jennings' primary substitutes on the evening news.

Jennings is the last of the anchor troika that dominated broadcast network news divisions over the last two decades. NBC's Tom Brokaw stepped down last year and CBS's Dan Rather left the evening news last month.

A former foreign correspondent based in Rome and London, the urbane Jennings and "World News Tonight" dominated the ratings during the late 1980s and early 1990s, before being surpassed by Brokaw. His broadcast is now a close second to NBC's "Nightly News" with Brian Williams.

He has been feeling ill for the past several months. Following the tsunami in December, he did not travel to the stricken region, with ABC explaining at the time that he had an upper respiratory infection and was under doctor's orders not to travel. He did go to Iraq in January for the elections.

Jennings is a former smoker who gave up the habit several years ago, the network said.

He anchored ABC's evening newscast for two years in the 1960s, then joined a multi-anchor format in 1978. ABC abandoned the approach in 1983 after Frank Reynolds died of cancer and Jennings has been the sole anchor since then.

barwars · 04-05-2005, 01:22 PM

I wish the best for him, he was always my favorite of the "Big 3."

Get well soon.
Kind of ironic that he was "replaced" on the day of probably the most high profile death of the past quarter century.

Janice · 04-05-2005, 01:25 PM

Lung cancer is one of the more deadlier cancers. It claimed my mother's life. It is survivable though. I wish Peter all the best. Prayers to him at what is surely a terribly frightening and uncertain time in his life.

One of my favorite newsmen on FOX News, Tony Snow, was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. His prognosis is good, but you just never know with cancer....metastases, reoccurrences...you just never know.

*MIBabe03* · 04-05-2005, 01:34 PM

Yeah it's on the politics board. Anyway that's a shame

.

Pitooey · 04-05-2005, 01:43 PM

How sad... I like him so much. I hope he gets well.

Zebra 3 · 04-05-2005, 02:49 PM

Always enjoyed his specials and hope he returns to ABC News soon.

Fleet · 04-05-2005, 05:04 PM

These health things sure are popping up. Awhile back, a local TV meteorologist (Dallas Raines) had to have prostate cancer treated.

Does anyone know if Peter Jennings was/is a smoker?

Central Perk · 04-05-2005, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleet

These health things sure are popping up. Awhile back, a local TV meteorologist (Dallas Raines) had to have prostate cancer treated.

Does anyone know if Peter Jennings was/is a smoker?

Yes he did smoke for many years I believe.

04-05-2005, 11:34 AM	#1
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	ABC's Peter Jennings diagnosed with lung cancer Letter to staffers: Dear All -- Forgive me the group mailing -- but it seems the easiest way to tell a lot of people I care for about a change in my life. I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise. As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemo-therapy next week. I will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky! Almost 10 million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this news division. Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family right now.
	__________________ Brent

04-05-2005, 11:41 AM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Terrible news ABC News: Peter Jennings Has Lung Cancer (AP) Peter Jennings poses on the set of ABC's "World News Tonight" in New York on Feb. 5, 2001.... NEW YORK (AP) - Peter Jennings, the chief ABC News anchorman for more than 20 years, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin outpatient treatment next week, the network said Tuesday. Jennings, 66, has been feeling ill for the past several months and was replaced Saturday on coverage of the pope's death by anchor Charles Woodruff. He last anchored "World News Tonight" on Friday. Jennings informed ABC News staff of the diagnosis Tuesday morning and said he will anchor the broadcast when he feels up to it over the next few months as he begins chemotherapy. "There will be good days and bad, which means some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky," he told ABC News employees in an e-mail. Charles Gibson, who's in Rome for the pope's funeral, and Elizabeth Vargas will be Jennings' primary substitutes on the evening news. Jennings first anchored ABC's evening newscast for two years in the 1960s, and was a Europe-based correspondent for the network after that. He started again as an anchor as ABC tried a multi-anchor format starting in 1978, then took over the broadcast himself in 1983.

04-05-2005, 11:57 AM	#5
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,815	Message from David Westin: This morning, Peter Jennings told his senior staff at World News Tonight that yesterday afternoon he was diagnosed with lung cancer. I include below the full text of Peter’s note to the group of people with whom he works most closely. He will begin outpatient treatment next week here in New York. It’s both Peter’s and my expectation that he will anchor World News Tonight during the period of treatment to the extent he can do so comfortably; but, we should also expect him to be off the broadcast from time to time, depending on how he feels. Charlie Gibson, Elizabeth Vargas, and others will be substituting for Peter as necessary and when their other responsibilities permit. All of us at ABC News have watched over the years as Peter has led us on various assignments with strength and with courage. We’ve done our best to support him in these endeavors. Now, Peter’s been given a tough assignment. He’s already bringing to this new challenge the courage and strength we’ve seen so often in his reporting from the field and in anchoring ABC News. I know that all of us will give him every bit of support that he needs and asks for. Peter will once again lead the way, but we will stand with him at every turn. Peter’s E-mail: Dear All – Forgive me the group mailing – but it seems the easiest way to tell a lot of people I care for ….. about a change in my life. I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise. As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemo-therapy next week. I will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky! Almost 10 million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this news division. Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family right now. Peter
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04-05-2005, 01:18 PM	#8
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	Peter Jennings has lung cancer ABC News: Peter Jennings Has Lung Cancer 21 minutes ago Add to My Yahoo! Television - AP By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer NEW YORK - Peter Jennings, the chief ABC News anchorman for more than 20 years, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin outpatient treatment next week, the network said Tuesday. Photo AP Photo AFP Photo AFP Slideshow Slideshow: Peter Jennings Jennings, 66, told ABC News staff members of his diagnosis Tuesday morning and said he will continue to anchor the broadcast when he feels up to it as he begins chemotherapy. He last anchored "World News Tonight" Friday and was too ill to work Saturday during the network's special report on Pope John Paul II's death. "There will be good days and bad, which means some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky," he told ABC News employees in an e-mail. Charles Gibson, who's in Rome for the pope's funeral, and Elizabeth Vargas will be Jennings' primary substitutes on the evening news. Jennings is the last of the anchor troika that dominated broadcast network news divisions over the last two decades. NBC's Tom Brokaw stepped down last year and CBS's Dan Rather left the evening news last month. A former foreign correspondent based in Rome and London, the urbane Jennings and "World News Tonight" dominated the ratings during the late 1980s and early 1990s, before being surpassed by Brokaw. His broadcast is now a close second to NBC's "Nightly News" with Brian Williams. He has been feeling ill for the past several months. Following the tsunami in December, he did not travel to the stricken region, with ABC explaining at the time that he had an upper respiratory infection and was under doctor's orders not to travel. He did go to Iraq in January for the elections. Jennings is a former smoker who gave up the habit several years ago, the network said. He anchored ABC's evening newscast for two years in the 1960s, then joined a multi-anchor format in 1978. ABC abandoned the approach in 1983 after Frank Reynolds died of cancer and Jennings has been the sole anchor since then.

04-05-2005, 01:34 PM	#11
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	Yeah it's on the politics board. Anyway that's a shame .
	__________________ Laura and Mario November 10, 2006

04-05-2005, 11:42 AM	#3
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Sorry I can't copy the story, but here's the link from The Houston Chronicle. Peter Jennings Diagnoised With Lung Cancer.

04-05-2005, 11:52 AM	#4
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	That is too bad, hope he pulls through in good shape. I actually got to 'meet' him when came to our high school for a visit.

04-05-2005, 12:02 PM	#6
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Listening to ABC News Radio right now... he's been with ABC for 41 years, since 1964. WOW! Best of luck to Peter.

04-05-2005, 12:08 PM	#7
Miss Golden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 1,231	Lung Cancer is not good, but I am praying he will come through this.

04-05-2005, 01:22 PM	#9
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I wish the best for him, he was always my favorite of the "Big 3." Get well soon. Kind of ironic that he was "replaced" on the day of probably the most high profile death of the past quarter century.

04-05-2005, 01:25 PM	#10
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Lung cancer is one of the more deadlier cancers. It claimed my mother's life. It is survivable though. I wish Peter all the best. Prayers to him at what is surely a terribly frightening and uncertain time in his life. One of my favorite newsmen on FOX News, Tony Snow, was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. His prognosis is good, but you just never know with cancer....metastases, reoccurrences...you just never know.

04-05-2005, 01:43 PM	#12
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	How sad... I like him so much. I hope he gets well.
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04-05-2005, 02:49 PM	#13
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,807	Always enjoyed his specials and hope he returns to ABC News soon.
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04-05-2005, 05:04 PM	#14
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	These health things sure are popping up. Awhile back, a local TV meteorologist (Dallas Raines) had to have prostate cancer treated. Does anyone know if Peter Jennings was/is a smoker?
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