Dee From What’s Happening Reveals Cancer Diagnosis and Smithsonian Honor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MikeLutton · 10-23-2014, 10:24 PM

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_gra...ian_honor.html

Danielle Spencer as Dee in the ’70s sitcom What’s Happening; Spencer today
ABC; Danielle Spencer

One of the most memorable lines from the ’70s sitcom What’s Happening came from Raj’s bratty little sister, Dee. In at least every episode, Dee, played by Danielle Spencer, had her “Ooh, I’m gonna tell Momma” moment. What’s Happening had a successful run and even a spinoff called What’s Happening Now, but Spencer stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her education and career. She attended Tuskegee University, where she majored in veterinary science, and then became a veterinarian. Her career had her focusing on the health of animals, but now she’s focusing on her own.

In an interview with BlackAmericaWeb, Spencer discussed her recent breast-cancer diagnosis, which took her by surprise. “Surgery is definitely one of the options,” she said. “I’m trying to get as many opinions as possible, but it does look [like] that is what I’m going to do. Hopefully after that, there won’t be any chemotherapy or radiation. With everything that I’ve been through with the spinal cord injury, I know God is not going to give me another affliction. So I was completely shocked when the doctors told me.”

The injury Spencer referred to is from a car accident during her time on What’s Happening, which affected her 26 years later and caused her to have a bout with paralysis.

Although Spencer was diagnosed with cancer a month ago, she is also focusing on the positive. Recently she became the only child star to be inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. As part of her induction, when the museum opens in 2015, she will be included in the permanent exhibition of the museum.

“I still can’t believe it,” she said. “That’s something people can look at for years to come, long after I’m gone.”

Wawwie · 10-23-2014, 11:14 PM

Danielle has been through a lot. I think she had her spinal cord injury when she was still a teenager (car accident?) .... and now the cancer. I wish her the best of luck.

gidgetgrape · 10-23-2014, 11:50 PM

I'm sorry to hear that about Danielle and wish her the best. Her stepfather was killed in that accident. TV Party has a good article about all the behind the scenes stuff:

http://www.tvparty.com/recwhats.html

MikeLutton · 10-24-2014, 12:49 AM

hope she going be all right this is serious issue ah wish it didn't exist she so young my prayers be with her at this time,sure hope she going be all right

Bonniegirl · 10-24-2014, 02:53 PM

Wow. Poor Danielle! My prayers are with her!

Flying Dutchman · 12-10-2014, 11:07 AM

I really feel for her. But that accident and the cancer have not taken away her beauty. She does remain active in cancer research. She is a very brave woman. We love you Dee.

Bonniegirl · 12-10-2014, 12:27 PM

She did grow up to be really pretty!

10-23-2014, 10:24 PM	#1
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,887	Dee From What’s Happening Reveals Cancer Diagnosis and Smithsonian Honor http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_gra...ian_honor.html Danielle Spencer as Dee in the ’70s sitcom What’s Happening; Spencer today ABC; Danielle Spencer One of the most memorable lines from the ’70s sitcom What’s Happening came from Raj’s bratty little sister, Dee. In at least every episode, Dee, played by Danielle Spencer, had her “Ooh, I’m gonna tell Momma” moment. What’s Happening had a successful run and even a spinoff called What’s Happening Now, but Spencer stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her education and career. She attended Tuskegee University, where she majored in veterinary science, and then became a veterinarian. Her career had her focusing on the health of animals, but now she’s focusing on her own. In an interview with BlackAmericaWeb, Spencer discussed her recent breast-cancer diagnosis, which took her by surprise. “Surgery is definitely one of the options,” she said. “I’m trying to get as many opinions as possible, but it does look [like] that is what I’m going to do. Hopefully after that, there won’t be any chemotherapy or radiation. With everything that I’ve been through with the spinal cord injury, I know God is not going to give me another affliction. So I was completely shocked when the doctors told me.” The injury Spencer referred to is from a car accident during her time on What’s Happening, which affected her 26 years later and caused her to have a bout with paralysis. Although Spencer was diagnosed with cancer a month ago, she is also focusing on the positive. Recently she became the only child star to be inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. As part of her induction, when the museum opens in 2015, she will be included in the permanent exhibition of the museum. “I still can’t believe it,” she said. “That’s something people can look at for years to come, long after I’m gone.”
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

10-23-2014, 11:14 PM	#2
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	Danielle has been through a lot. I think she had her spinal cord injury when she was still a teenager (car accident?) .... and now the cancer. I wish her the best of luck.

10-23-2014, 11:50 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,504	I'm sorry to hear that about Danielle and wish her the best. Her stepfather was killed in that accident. TV Party has a good article about all the behind the scenes stuff: http://www.tvparty.com/recwhats.html

10-24-2014, 12:49 AM	#4
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,887	hope she going be all right this is serious issue ah wish it didn't exist she so young my prayers be with her at this time,sure hope she going be all right

10-24-2014, 02:53 PM	#5
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,860	Wow. Poor Danielle! My prayers are with her!

12-10-2014, 11:07 AM	#6
Flying Dutchman Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,266	I really feel for her. But that accident and the cancer have not taken away her beauty. She does remain active in cancer research. She is a very brave woman. We love you Dee.

12-10-2014, 12:27 PM	#7
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,860	She did grow up to be really pretty!