‘Cancer doesn’t discriminate’: Iowa reporter Calyn Thompson breaks down while revealing breast cancer diagnosis
DES MOINES, IOWA: TV news anchor Calyn Thompson, 28, broke down in tears during a live on-air segment while revealing she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The revelation comes just a few months after Thompson covered a segment on mammograms during breast cancer awareness month.
“Little did I know that interview would foreshadow the beginning of my own journey,” Thompson, told her WHO 13 News viewers on Wednesday, May 3. The reporter shared that she was diagnosed two weeks after turning 28. She also grew emotional while saying that there were some days when she “didn't feel like getting up” but decided to open up in the hopes of helping others. “If I can help even one person, it will be worth it,” Thompson stated.
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Who is Calyn Thompson?
Thompson is a 28-year-old news anchor and local TV reporter from Des Moines, Iowa. She works as a news reporter at Who-TV 13. According to her LinkedIn profile, Thompson studied broadcast journalism in Wartburg College and interned as a reporter in KCRG-TV9. She also worked a summer intern with Senator Charles Grassley in 2014.
She previously worked as a reporter for Cedar Valley Today before joining KIMT-TV as a multimedia journalist and weekend anchor. Thompson joined Who-TV 13 in 2020. The reporter recently revealed her breast cancer diagnosis on-air months after covering a segment for breast cancer awareness.
‘Completely confident in my medical team’
In October 2022, Thompson covered a segment reminding viewers to remain updated with mammograms to look for early signs of breast cancer. On Wednesday, May 3, Thompson revealed her own diagnosis with a clip from the awareness segment. “Each day you welcome us into your homes so we can share the stories of others,” she began.
“Rarely are we the ones the story is about, but I wanted to share something personal with you that’s taking place in my life,” Thompson mentioned. “This past November, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she revealed while growing emotional. “My medical team is confident it is treatable and curable, and I am completely confident in my medical team,” the reporter shared.
“Sorry, I didn't think I would get emotional,” Thompson said. “I have completed six chemotherapy treatments, and it feels so good to have that hurdle behind me,” she said. “It was a shock when I found out I had breast cancer. And it honestly took me several weeks to process it,” the reporter added. Thompson then told viewers that she hopes to spread awareness by sharing her own story and using her platform to spread awareness.
‘Cancer doesn’t discriminate’
Tears streamed down Thompson’s face as she revealed she was diagnosed with cancer two weeks after she turned 28. “I’ve learned cancer doesn’t discriminate; not with age or profession, it can happen to anyone,” she said. “Don’t put off preventative screenings. And if something doesn’t feel right like it didn’t for me, please go get it checked out by your doctor. Early detection does save lives,” Thompson advised.
The news anchor also said she was sharing her story to thank her viewers. “Helping you start your day each morning is a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and little do you know how much you’ve been helping me these past five months,” Thompson mentioned. “There were some mornings I didn’t feel like getting up and going, but you helped me find the strength to get here and deliver the news,” she shared.
“Coming to work every day has been the sense of normalcy and purpose I’ve needed to get through this medical journey,” Thompson stated. She also thanked her colleagues for being “supportive, caring, and understanding” through her journey. The reporter concluded her announcement by saying she would be undergoing surgery later this month and would be taking a few weeks off from work for recovery.