Morning anchor Kailyn Thompson at NBC affiliate WHO 13 in Des Moines, Iowa, told viewers she’s battling breast cancer, covering a story about staying on routine mammograms after she got her diagnosis.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Thompson made the announcement on “Today in Iowa” Wednesday morning, saying she was diagnosed with the disease last November.
“Six months ago, I did an interview during Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminding you to stay up to date on your mammograms, I didn’t know that interview was about my own journey,” Thompson said with her colleagues, co-anchors. foreshadows the beginning of Justin Cerancy and meteorologist Megan Salois, by his side.
As tears streamed down her face, the 28-year-old told the audience if anything felt wrong or not right for the screening. She said that she was happy to have chemotherapy behind her and expressed that things were looking good.
“My medical team is confident that this is treatable and curable, and I have full confidence in my medical team,” Thompson said. “I’ve completed six chemotherapy treatments, and it feels great to have that hurdle behind me.”
Thompson said journalists rarely make the news about her, but she said she was sharing her story to save a life.
Thompson said, “When I found out I had breast cancer, it was a shock.” “And honestly it took me weeks to process it. I asked a lot of ‘Why?’ And maybe that’s ‘my why’ for using my platform here at WHO 13 News to share my story. If I can help even one person, it will be worth it.”
While thankful things are headed in the right direction, Thompson admits the journey hasn’t always been easy. She thanked her family, friends and co-workers at the NBC affiliate, saying that everyone has been supportive over the past several months.
Thompson told the audience, “Some mornings I didn’t feel like getting up and going, but you helped me find the strength to come here and deliver the news.” “Coming to work every day is the sense of normalcy and purpose I needed to get through this healing journey.”
Thompson told viewers that she would be off-air for a while due to upcoming surgery and vowed that she would be back.
Thompson said, “I’ll come back and be better than ever.”
