Illinois anchorman Dave Benton had some heartbreaking news to deliver — about himself — to viewers in Champaign last week. On Thursday, Sept. 11, the WCIA-TV reporter announced on-air that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and may have just months to live.
“As you know, I told you a few weeks ago that my brain cancer is back,” Benton, 51, began, noting that he’d been to several physicians in the time since. “Basically my cancer is back, and it’s too big for surgery and radiation. Doctors have told me that I may have four to six months to live.”
With his co-anchor sitting opposite him, he went on to explain that he’d decided to try a new antibody treatment to slow down the growth of his tumor. “The goal here is to have a few more days and to make them the best that they can be,” he shared.
A married father of two adult children and a self-proclaimed “born-again Christian,” Benton said he’s “at peace” with his diagnosis. “I believe that I am in God’s hands…and I know that he’s going to take care of the days ahead,” he added.
After the announcement, co-anchor Jennifer Roscoe praised Benton’s “amazing attitude” and incredible strength. “I’ve had you sitting next to me for nine years, and I’m going to hold on to every single day that I can,” she told him.
“I’m dedicated to continuing good work,” he replied. “I want to know that there will be a moment where I will stop…and say, ‘I hope I did good work to our viewers, I served them, I did things well.'”
Watch Benton’s announcement above.
