Below are two e-mails released by ABC News today about Peter Jennings. Jennings, a Canadian, will soon start treatments for lung cancer. The first is from ABC News President David Westin. The second is from Jennings himself:
David Westin statement:
This morning, Peter Jennings told his senior staff at World News Tonight
that yesterday afternoon he was diagnosed with lung cancer. I include
below the full text of Peter's note to the group of people with whom he
works most closely. He will begin outpatient treatment next week here in
New York. It's both Peter's and my expectation that he will anchor World
News Tonight during the period of treatment to the extent he can do so
comfortably; but, we should also expect him to be off the broadcast from
time to time, depending on how he feels. Charlie Gibson, Elizabeth Vargas,
and others will be substituting for Peter as necessary and when their other
responsibilities permit.All of us at ABC News have watched over the years as Peter has led us on
various assignments with strength and with courage. We've done our best to
support him in these endeavors. Now, this Peter's been given a tough
assignment. He's already bringing to new challenge the courage and
strength we've seen so often in his reporting from the field and in
anchoring ABC News. I know that all of us will give him every bit of
support that he needs and asks for. Peter will once again lead the way,
but we will stand with him at every turn.
Peter Jennings e-mail:
Dear All — Forgive me the group mailing, but it seems the easiest way to
tell a lot of people I care for…about a change in my life.I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise.
As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemo-therapy next week. I
will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which
means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky! Almost 10
million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them
how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the
years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this
news division.Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family
right now.Peter