“Tonight I want to share some personal information about me,” anchor Tracy Townsend said at the end of WBNS’s 5:30 p.m. newscast on Friday. “There was a diagnosis after my mammogram this year and while it is breast cancer, it is very early stage.”
Townsend is an Emmy-winning anchor who has been with Columbus’s WBNS since 2005. In addition to anchoring the CBS-affiliate’s 5:30 newscast, she helms the station’s noon newscast.
“I’m going to be taking a little time off for treatment and recovery,” she told viewers on Friday, “so join me with your prayers and great thoughts.”
WBNS has set up a special section on its website where people can share their well wishes with Townsend.
As she begins treatment, Townsend is encouraging everyone to get a mammogram. “That’s how we found out,” she said Friday. “Early detection really is key.” Video inside…
Here’s Townsend’s announcement: