‘An unexpected challenge’: Ex Miami reporter just revealed shock diagnosis on air
News reporter Rudabeh Shahbazi became the story on Thursday.
On a KCAL morning segment about September being lymphoma awareness month, the 42-year-old former local anchor revealed that she too, has the cancer of the immune system.
Shabhazi brought her own oncologist, UCLA’s Dr John Timmerman, on air to speak about the disease. She has non Hodgkins lymphoma, which affects an estimated 80,000 Americans every year.
The Pepperdine alum later posted a snippet of the interview on Instagram, informing her followers of her own diagnosis.
“While I’m usually of the mind that personal matters belong off camera, I personally have found great comfort seeing others living with and overcoming the disease,” the L.A. based-journalist says in the clip.
The Oregon native wants people to know that whether you’re the one going through the illness or caring for someone who’s struggling, you have support and you’re not alone.
“For me, this was an unexpected challenge to say the least,” she admits. “But I have never been one to back down from a challenge.”
Shahbazi, who left WFOR-CBS4 back in 2020 for a brief gig at cable news network NewsNation in Chicago, will stay on the job, informing viewers, providing resources and giving updates on her health.
“I am not going anywhere and this will not limit me,” she said, her voice slightly breaking. “I still have a lot of life left, and a lot to contribute to the world.
“I know my best days are ahead of me.”
This story was originally published September 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM.
