Ernie Johnson diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Darn Cancer.....This is the same diagnoses as Sonny...follicular, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, low-grade. Sonny did not receive treatment right away either. I pray the best for Ernie Johnson and his family! I must raise more money... quickly.



LYMPHOMA IN THE MEDIA
TNT’s Johnson has Lymphoma
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/0223erniejr.html
By Steve Wyche
Ernie Johnson, TNT's NBA studio host and quick-witted moderator for broadcast partners Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, admitted Wednesday that he has cancer. "The only reason I'm bringing my condition to your attention now is because the swelling of a lymph node near my left ear has become noticeable to viewers of TNT, and there have been questions asked," Johnson said in a statement issued by the network. "My plan is to work the rest of the NBA season and playoffs, go to the beach with my wife, Cheryl, and our four kids, and start a treatment regimen in late June, which will likely include chemotherapy. And then I'll go back to work." Johnson, an Emmy Award winner in his 16th year with TNT, plans to address his health and future tonight during TNT's weekly NBA broadcast. He declined an interview request through a network spokesman. Johnson said he was diagnosed more than two years ago with follicular, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, considered a non-aggressive, low-grade cancer. In conjunction with his doctors at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Hospital, the cancer was monitored but treatment was postponed until it was deemed necessary, Johnson said. "Through all this time I have had no symptoms . . . have felt great . . . and still do to this day," said Johnson, who also hosts TNT's PGA golf coverage and TBS Network's college football studio show. Many of his colleagues at Atlanta-based Turner Sports knew of his health issue, but kept them private because of Johnson's wishes. However, those close to Johnson knew his condition could become noticeable and that public disclosure was a probability.