Longtime ESPN reporter Shelley Smith announced on Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I now join the one in eight women who are battling breast cancer,” Smith wrote on Twitter. “Early detection will save my life. Tell loved ones. My tough cancer treatment will begin in January. Until then, I spread the praise of mammograms and ultrasound. Early detection. I am strong and positive as I fight this, just like so many of my breast cancer warrior sisters. We’re Gonna Win!”
Smith added that she does not fear the disease because science has been doing “remarkable things.” She also sent several more tweets urging women to be self-aware and not ignore any warning signs.
Smith has been working full-time as an ESPN reporter for more than 17 years. She was a writer and reporter for Sports Illustrated prior to that. Smith won a Sports Emmy for her book “Just Give Me The Damn Ball!” — which was written with former New York Jets wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson following the 1996 season.
We wish her all the best in her recovery.
