Dana Reeve: Encyclopedia II - Dana Reeve - Illness

Dana Reeve - Illness

On August 9, 2005, at the age of 44, Dana announced that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Her own mother, Helen Morosini, had just recently died of complications from ovarian cancer. "Now, more than ever, I feel Chris with me as I face this challenge," she said. "As always, I look to him as the ultimate example of defying the odds with strength, courage, and hope in the face of life's adversities." She chose to disclose her illness after the National Enquirer announced that it was going to make the information public. Her announcment came two days after the Canadian-American journalist, Peter Jennings died of the same disease at the age of 67. Unlike Jennings, however, Dana had never smoked, nor had her late husband.

In her most recent (2005) public appearances, Dana Reeve has stated that the tumor has responded to therapy and is shrinking and that she feels well. She appeared at Madison Square Garden on January 12, 2006 to sing and honor New York Rangers hockey great, Mark Messier.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Illness", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki