Tom Brokaw Says His "Cancer Is in Remission"

The 74-year-old journalist and NBC News Special Correspondent revealed his health troubles in February

By Corinne Heller Dec 21, 2014 10:30 PMTags
Tom BrokawVirginia Sherwood/NBC

Tom Brokaw has given another update about his health and there's good news—his cancer is in remission.

The 74-year-old journalist, married father of three and NBC News Special Correspondent revealed in February that he had in August 2013 been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a relatively rare form of cancer that affects blood cells in the bone marrow, and was undergoing treatment.

On Sunday, NBC News posted a letter he penned a letter to what he called his "NBC Family." He signed it "T Bone."

"A year ago, my future was more uncertain than I cared to acknowledge but now I face the New Year with very encouraging news," he wrote. "The cancer is in remission and I will shortly go on a drug maintenance regimen to keep it there."

Brokaw, one of the most famous journalists in the United States, anchored NBC's Nightly News solo for 21 years before handing the reigns to current anchor Brian Williams in 2004. He has since become a Special Correspondent for NBC News.

After his cancer diagnosis, Brokaw continued to work on NBC News projects and made appearances on the Today show as well as at several public events. Several weeks ago, he interviewed Angelina Jolie.

Craig Barritt/NBC

 He also took part in NBC's election night coverage in November.

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On Dec. 13, Brokaw was part of a Presidential delegation sent to attend a ceremony in Belgium commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the bloodiest offensives of World War II that also marked the beginning of its end, in which the United States and its allies fought against and defeated Nazi Germany's forces in the Ardennes Forest region of the country and Luxembourg.

"Last weekend I was reminded of how fortunate we all are and whatever challenges I faced were footnotes compared to the men I was with," Brokaw said in his letter.

"One Airborne old timer kept struggling to lift himself out of his wheelchair when the occasion called for a salute. I finally whispered to him, 'Stay seated. No one will give you KP for not standing.' We both had a good laugh.'" he said. "I flew home reflecting again on how lucky we are that generation gave us the lives we have today—how my last year was a challenge but I was meeting it in world class hospitals with brilliant physicians, not in a foxhole in the Ardennes."

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Last week, Brokaw was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Unites States' highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama at the White House. He was dubbed "one of America's most trusted and respected journalists."

Other recipients at this year's annual ceremony included actress Meryl Streep and singer Stevie Wonder.

Brokaw said on The Late Show With David Letterman in an interview that aired last week that he brought his family, including grandchildren, to the event.

He told David Letterman that his 7-year-old granddaughter, he "walked in with her hand outstretched, she said, 'Hello, Mr. President.'"

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