MOVING SUPPORT… Dermot O’Leary stands by a co-star as they open up about living with cancer for nearly 20 years, admitting ongoing treatment can leave them feeling “very low”
Presenter Dermot O’Leary has offered his support to his BBC Radio 2 co-star Bob Harris amid his cancer journey.
Legendary broadcaster Bob, who has presented The Country Show on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday nights since April 1999, was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008.
He has been battling the disease for the past 18 years and honoured his journey with an emotional statement on World Cancer Day yesterday (February 4).
Bob Harris opens up about living with cancer
While sharing a selfie of himself, Bob admitted that World Cancer Day “got me thinking”.
“I’ve been living with prostate cancer since 2008 and my journey since then has not always been easy. If, reading this, you are facing your own challenges, I truly understand how testing they can be and how overwhelmed you can sometimes feel,” he said.
“As you know from some of my previous posts, I sometimes find coping with the dual health challenges of my cancer and my Aortic Dissection very difficult. The ongoing treatment can itself make me feel very low. So, I know that none of this is easy but please try to get everything you can out of every moment. It’s a decision… and honestly, it works. Strive to be the very best version of yourself and you will feel huge benefits. The bigger the challenge the greater the feeling.”
As his 80th birthday approaches, Bob admitted he is “loving my life more than ever”.
He continued: “I’ve been incredibly lucky that the technology of my treatment has been progressing faster than my cancer and I’m still here! I feel truly blessed, I am massively supported by my family, a close group of my true friends and my work, which I love. I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking. And that is my big message to you if you need some support right now.”
Bob urged his followers to “never lose heart”, “keep the faith”, and “bounce back” during hardships.
He thanked the medical staff who “work tirelessly on our behalf”, stating that their “commitment keeps me alive”.
Bob concluded the note, believing that “one day cancer will be beaten”.
Bob Harris opens up about living with cancer
While sharing a selfie of himself, Bob admitted that World Cancer Day “got me thinking”.
“I’ve been living with prostate cancer since 2008 and my journey since then has not always been easy. If, reading this, you are facing your own challenges, I truly understand how testing they can be and how overwhelmed you can sometimes feel,” he said.
“As you know from some of my previous posts, I sometimes find coping with the dual health challenges of my cancer and my Aortic Dissection very difficult. The ongoing treatment can itself make me feel very low. So, I know that none of this is easy but please try to get everything you can out of every moment. It’s a decision… and honestly, it works. Strive to be the very best version of yourself and you will feel huge benefits. The bigger the challenge the greater the feeling.”
As his 80th birthday approaches, Bob admitted he is “loving my life more than ever”.
He continued: “I’ve been incredibly lucky that the technology of my treatment has been progressing faster than my cancer and I’m still here! I feel truly blessed, I am massively supported by my family, a close group of my true friends and my work, which I love. I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking. And that is my big message to you if you need some support right now.”
Bob urged his followers to “never lose heart”, “keep the faith”, and “bounce back” during hardships.
He thanked the medical staff who “work tirelessly on our behalf”, stating that their “commitment keeps me alive”.
Bob concluded the note, believing that “one day cancer will be beaten”.
