In September 2024, beloved Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew heartbreakingly revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer.
The 41-year-old confirmed the news live on air.
After reading the 8am news bulletin, Edwina was overcome with emotion, saying, “Now, a personal story to finish the bulletin. I have been diagnosed with cancer.”
She continued, “That’s a shock to say and hard to say. It is a really good kind. It is called chronic myeloid leukaemia.”
Chronic myeloid leukaemia is an uncommon form of cancer that affects blood-cells and bone marrow.
“It can be treated with a daily tablet. If I can take care of myself I will be completely fine,” she said through tears.
Edwina revealed she was diagnosed in July 2024, but decided to make the news public now for “a couple of reasons.”
“Firstly, because everyone at home and here has been here for all the wonderful times, for the engagements, and the weddings and the babies, for all of us. It felt right to share this with you too,” she explained.
“Many of you have been in similar situations or much, much worse and come out the other side stronger… And more resilient. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
She explained that the final reason she decided to publicly speak about her cancer diagnosis was to hopefully encourage others to get checked, as she herself was inspired by her fellow Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr after she revealed she too had a skin cancer scare.
“I had a mammogram after I had a few lumps. That came back all clear. I even had an eye check. That’s fine. But my doctor sent me to get routine blood tests at the same time. One of those tests came back with levels out of whack,” she shared.
After she finished speaking, she was embraced by her co-hosts Matt Shirvington and Mark Beretta in an emotional group hug.
She then confirmed to viewers that she was feeling “very positive” and “lucky” about her treatment options.
Edwina was flooded with messages of support following her announcement, and took to Instagram to share her gratitude to those who have sent their well wishes.
“Thank you. Thank you so much for all the love. This past month has been such a strangely joyous time.
“The day I got back from having my bone marrow biopsy, Tom insisted on taking the door snake to the park. It made me laugh so much to accompany him down the street with the damn thing flung over his shoulder. It was a lovely reminder that life goes on.
“I have been ocean swimming, dreaming up plans with @neilwrites and handing out a lot of hugs. Long may that continue xx,” she shared.
In December, she told Stellar that she hasn’t told her children about her diagnosis.
“My kids are two and four, I never had to have the conversation with them, which is such a huge relief. So for them, there’s no physical difference,” she shared.
“I’m actually probably feeling better than I was, not as tired and taking care of myself better. So for them, there’s only a plus side – because I’m around more and probably more present than I was before, deliberately.”
Edwin went on to say she’s “really careful not to mention the word cancer” around them, and that, “When I’m with them it’s just this beautiful little world that belongs to toddlers, completely oblivious to what’s going on everywhere else. They wouldn’t have any idea at all. That’s a really, really beautiful thing.”
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