Breaking News: Survivor Contestant Jennifer Lyon Dies at Age 37
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Jennifer Lyon, a contestant on Survivor Palau, has died at age 37, UsMagazine.com has confirmed. Lyon finished in fourth place in the reality competition's tenth season, which aired in 2005.
A former nanny, Lyon was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at age 33 in 2005, and spoke to Us Weekly about the news and her eventual decision to get a double mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy. "I was completely shocked and overwhelmed," Lyon told Us at the time. "I felt fine that day; in fact, I've been healthy my entire life."
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The star also offered support for other women struggling with the disease. "Staying positive is half the battle," she said.
Austin Carty, an alum of Survivor: Panama - Exlie Island (2006), briefly dated Lyon in 2006. "Jen was a genuinely selfless, sweet-natured person," Carty told UsMagazine.com Wednesday. "She always had a smile. She cared about every person.”
Watch an inspiring slideshow of stars who have battled cancer
Carty last saw his friend at a breast cancer charity event in New York in November 2008, where she received a standing ovation after giving a speech. "She was engaged in the greatest fight of her life, but she had every intention to fight and spread her positive messages,” Carty said.
"This has really rocked the Survivor community. It's just so sad."
Another friend and former Survivor contestant, Johnny Fairplay, tells Us, "Jen was such a beautiful person. I wish life was as simple as survivor because i know for a fact there are 300 of us that would use every immunity idol and jury vote in the world to have her back."
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43I just learned of Jenns death. My heart goes out to her family,,, God Bless Bob R. Baltimore, MD 2-5-2010
i have fond memories of jenn. we were nannies together in London England. she was sooo fun, smart, and beautiful. my heart goes out to her family. xoxo sue.
I have never and God willing will never no this horrible disease. I do know about death though......my daughter was murdered six days after her 14th birthday. It is unfair and totally represible to be that we lose our loved ones so young! I you never understand how much I feel for you (her family & friends). My thoughts go go to the Lyon family and I hope you find the peace & freedom from grief you deserve. May she rest in peace!
This is a terrible disease. I am now 4 years out since my diagnosis in Dec 2005..I was really looking forward to year 5 so I could say I was cured. What a shock I got when my doc said to me at my last visit 2 weeks ago. He said that Breast Cancer patients are 'never' cured. My heart dropped. I pray everyday that new technology comes about to stop this horrible disease. I have only one child, a son, and he was only 5 when I was diagnosed. It has played an awful toll on his life as well as everyone else in my family. This is not a disease that effects the person with it....it effects everyone around them. Jennifer is in a better place now, and from what I have read she was ready. The surgery, treatment and just the worry about the disease never leaves the patients thoughts. Rest in Peace Jennifer...you spent your time in HE.. here on earth...I am sure you are an angel in heaven today.
so sad about jennifer...
jess wishing your sister a healthy recovery
So devastating, my sister is battling with stage 4 @33yrs of age, women have to be aware, it can hit you at ANY age, no more 50+ pls be in tune with your bodies. May her soul rest in peace and may God BLESS all survivors and angels in heaven. so so sad!
Wow. I've never watched survivor, and thank God, have never had breast cancer or known anyone with it. But I'm participating in the Komen Race for the Cure this May. I will keep this beautiful woman in my mind as I try to complete the race.
My Beautiful friend Jenn, I will miss you,even though we hadn't seen each other in years, I will never forget the wonderful fun times we spent together, and all the gigles we had. You were an amazing Beautiful person, Heaven just received an Angel. Sending my sympathy and love to The Lyon Family xxxx Miss you sweetie xxx Nanny Jo Jo xxxx
God have mercy on us women & God rest her soul & the souls of those who have gone too soon.
Huge example of why more research is needed on early detection of this disease. Mammograms rarely show small tumors in young woman AND the disease is usually more aggressive in the young. New screening process is necessary for young women.
I live in Canada but here we have the same recommandations as the US gouvernment (or CDC or whoever is responsible): unless having a family history of breast cancer, having a first mammogram at 50. How many young women will have to die before our respective countries come to their senses? RIP Jennifer!
She had so much ahead of her. We mourn her loss.
Yep need a sugar daddy i agree
Taken too soon. Very, very sad.
I wonder if the treatment is what caused her to die. It was reported in the UK the 7000 women in the UK last year were mis- diagnosed with mammograms. How many in the US? I wonder
this is so sad! my aunt, jessica treat died at age 34 of this horrible disease... she was a musician. check out her my space at myspace.com/jessicatreat to hear some of her inspiring music....
My sister had this disease, went into remission. Next she got it in her lymph nodes, went into remission. Last, she got it in her liver and bones. She passed 2 weeks ago after it consumed her. No one should have to go through this. She lived as full as she could, but suffered greatly because of it. Please, it isn't just a female disease. Men get this, too, and should be checked as well. Condolensces to all who have to go through this.
females who date us business owning males never have to worry about insurance and can get routine medical checkups. This is yet one more reason why poor females should become gold diggers. The poorer people of society who love to call females "gold diggers" for choosing financially secure males as love interests....wont pay for your cancer treatments and medical appointments for you (society slings labels not money). A loving financially secure husband or sugardaddy will! Many females are dead because they were too stupid to hook up with a generous 28+ medical bill paying sugardaddy of some kind. RIP. I have no idea who she is but who has never lost a loved one to this disease? Get a sugardaddy, girls.
@Dan -- What country do you live in? You can't just buy insurance on your own. You make it sound so easy that you can get coverage as if it's automotive insurance. The truth is, as much as this should not be politicized, it cannot be denied that politics in DC and politics amongst us is what's preventing us addressing the Health Care dilemma in this country.