Famous American television and online journalist Shares An Urgent Message For The World
Whether it's to keep up on national politics, worldwide natural disasters, or the regional happenings, we watch the news for a number of reasons. And while staying informed usually tops the list of reasons to tune in, there are other aspects of both cable and network news that keeps us coming back for more.
Sometimes, we just want to watch our favorite anchors! Whether they're charming, especially intelligent, or simply funny, newscasters are an important staple of pop culture in America. That's why when beloved Today Show host Katie Couric came out with an urgent message, people were definitely listening...
Katie Couric
Katie Couric is America's favorite news anchor, as her warm presence and thoughtful commentary have charmed the country for decades. She's always used her career to address health concerns in America. She hit the national spotlight once for an affliction, just like Hoda.
Jay Monahan
Her message started in 1989, when Couric wed her first husband, Jay Monahan. The young couple was overjoyed. However, a happily-ever-after was not in the cards for these lovebirds. Soon, tragedy would strike.
Colon For Him
In 1998, Doctors informed Monahan he had colon cancer. The diagnosis was devastating — it came as a total shock — and he passed soon afterwards. Couric had just turned 40 and was already a widow.
Time to Help
After this, Couric knew she had to become an activist. Although she couldn't save her own husband, she thought, maybe she could save others. Soon, in an effort to raise awareness, she did something that truly shocked the nation.
Live, From New York...
In 2000, only two years after her husband's passing, Couric went on live TV to have a colonoscopy performed on her. Although the intimate procedure is something most people would prefer having done behind closed doors, Couric knew she had to get people's attention.
"The Katie Couric Effect"
Amazingly, this high-profile stunt actually led to a noticeable increase in people having colonoscopies. Dubbed "The Katie Couric Effect," this term is now used to describe the ability of celebrities to influence the public on matters of importance such as this.
Jimmy Kimmel's Colon
However, Katie wasn't done with her activism. In 2018, she accompanied Jimmy Kimmel on an episode of his show where he chronicled the process of receiving his first ever colonoscopy. Again, viewers were stunned.
Spreading the News
More recently, Katie has been back at it again. This time, her actions are truly turning heads, and for good reason: The woman will truly do anything it takes to spread awareness, even if it means revisiting an unpleasant topic.
His and Hers
Katie and her husband, John Molner, decided to get "his and hers" colonoscopies in order to stay healthy together. Although it's a serious topic, Katie still had some comical remarks to share about the whole event.
Peak Romance
In an Instagram post, the news anchor quipped that it was "so romantic" that the two had decided to get the procedure done together. While the comment was sarcastic, it is romantic to care about your significant other's health that much.
One Clean Colon
Luckily, Katie was eager to report that her husband received a clean bill of health following the procedure. The news anchor herself, on the other hand, had some more distressing news to share with the world.
Polyps
Apparently the doctor located two polyps during Couric's examination — and no, not the sea anemone kind. These abnormal tissues can ultimately develop into cancer if they go untreated. Katie had an interesting takeaway from this...
The Importance of it All
The fact that Couric actually did have potentially cancerous polyps only urges the importance of early detection and screening processes. She noted that things could have turned out much worse had she not addressed the problem when she did.
Thanks for Looking!
Couric also left room to thank the hospital workers, nurses, and doctors who helped her. She even joked that she was thankful for them doing their jobs "even if it means spending your days up to your elbows in...well, never mind."
The Dreaded Prep
Couric did acknowledge some of the less savory aspects of colonoscopies — there were a lot to choose from. She specifically mentioned that the prep going into the exam "isn't that fun." Now, there's an understatement.
Important Reasoning
Because to prep for a colonoscopy, patients must drink a liquid that is responsible for clearing out the bowels. Not only does this send people running to the toilet, but it also tastes absolutely disgusting. Still, as Katie herself would tell you, there's a reason behind this unpleasant prep.
Age and Accuracy
You need to be cleared out if you want an accurate examination. Katie also clued fans in on an important update: The American Cancer Society has lowered the screening age to 45, so if you're above that age you should be aware. And younger generations aren't off the hook.
Younger and Younger
Unfortunately, people born in the '80s or '90s have a much higher risk of developing these sorts of cancers than those born in the '40s or '50s. No one can afford to ignore Katie Couric's message — especially those at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Celebrity Trauma
No doubt, Katie has helped to save countless lives through emphasizing the importance of prevention. Her activism encourages others to speak out about the traumas in their lives, and that includes other celebrities with massive followings.
Affected By Disease
For instance, actor Tom Hanks and actor/singer-songwriter Rita Wilson are one of Hollywood's few everlasting couples, having graced the celebrity world with proof of true love for decades. But they, too, recently spoke out about a disease affecting them.
Flirtatious Run-In
Their dazzling love affair began after fatefully crossing paths in 1984 on the television set of ABC's popular sitcom Bosom Buddies, which starred none other than Tom Hanks. They had no idea what would come of this flirtatious run-in.
Falling In Love
Wilson appeared in an episode of the sitcom, and later starred with Hanks in the 1985 buddy comedy Volunteers, alongside John Candy. Unfortunately, by this point, there was one itty bitty thing standing in the way of their lust for each other.
Unhappily Married
You see, Tom Hanks was still (unhappily) married to his college sweetheart, Samantha Lewes, at this time, which obviously put a wrench in the beginnings of the legendary Wilson and Hanks romance.
It Was Mutual
Sadly for Samantha Lewes, Hanks later told GQ about the incredible spark he felt with Wilson from the very jump (sorry, Sam). "Rita and I just looked at each other and — kaboing — that was that," he confessed. Luckily for Hanks, Wilson felt the same.
Nothing Wrong Here
Hanks swears that his marriage was effectively over by the time he met Wilson, which makes the situation a bit less cringe-worthy. While Hanks' divorce to Lewes was finalized come 1987, Hanks and Wilson revealed their budding relationship to the world at the 1986 premiere of Three Amigos.
More Obstacles
While this red carpet reveal must've felt risky considering Hanks wasn't yet officially divorced, it also must've felt liberating for the love birds. This obstacle may have seemed hindering from the outside, but this was nothing compared to what was to come.
No Worries...
On April 30, 1988, love was in the air, and so was marriage. Hanks and Wilson's love was no longer simply budding, it bloomed into a graceful flower for the world to see. There was not a worry in sight.
Rising Stars
Over the next few years, the newlyweds arrived together at heaps of movie premieres and award shows, one of which was the 1989 Academy Awards, where Hanks was nominated for his memorable role in Big. Things were going great for the couple.
Happy In The '90s
The bliss continued throughout the entirety of the '90s, as they brought a beautiful baby boy into the world, jointly starred in 1993's romance film Sleepless in Seattle, and, not to mention, Hanks had received immense recognition for his acting efforts, in the prestigious form of two golden statues...
Sweet Thank-You Speech
Hanks won back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for his roles in 1993's Philadelphia and 1994's Forrest Gump. Hanks' speech for his Gump win was particularly heart-warming, as he gushed over his gorgeous wife for millions of people to hear.
Important Connection
Hanks later said, "I view my wife as my lover, and we have a bond that goes beyond words like wife or girlfriend or mother ... Without my connection with Rita, I don't know how I would've been able to connect with what Forrest was going through."
2015
Over the following years, they had another child, co-produced 2002's quirky hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and celebrated each other's countless solo endeavors, such as Wilson's 2012 pop album entitled AM/FM. They were each other's rocks, blessed with love, health, family, and success... until 2015 came along.
Shocking Departure
In 2015, Rita Wilson gleefully starred in Larry David's pitch black comedic Broadway play, Fish in the Dark, but unfortunately, the thespian was forced to leave the production unexpectedly. When she announced her departure, it was clear she was just as shocked about it as everyone else.
Rita's Diagnosis
Wilson announced that she was taking a medical leave of absence due to a gut-wrenching breast cancer diagnosis. Considering Hanks and Wilson's relationship hadn't suffered any real road bumps in the past, how would they work through this worrisome news?
Tough As Nails
The strong-minded Wilson had graciously said at the time, "Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma."
Survivor
Wilson, who strongly recommends getting a medical second opinion (as it may have saved her life), felt blessed to have caught the godforsaken cancer early, but that didn't mean dark thoughts regarding her own mortality didn't cloud the starlet's mind.
Very Clear Instructions
In 2019, a cancer-free Wilson revealed that while she mentally explored the "what ifs" of her frightening diagnosis four years prior, she gave Tom Hanks pretty interesting instructions if something were to happen to her...
Her Final Wishes
In a meaningful Instagram post, she explained what she had said to Hanks during this ghastly period in 2015. "So I had a serious discussion with my husband that if anything happens, I wanted him to be super sad for a very long time and I’d also like a party, a celebration,” Wilson wrote.
Finally Healing
Her instructions somehow exude morbid, yet simultaneously whimsical, appeal. But this quirky duality isn't out of character for Wilson, as a song on her 2019 album, Halfway To Home, is even called "Throw Me a Party." We guess everyone has their own personal way of processing, but Hanks also played a large part in her healing.
"He was really wonderful"
Wilson gratefully spoke of Hanks' positive influence on her throughout her breast cancer journey. “He was really wonderful—very loving. He came to my doctor’s appointments with me. [And] he made me laugh. That’s what you really want to do," she disclosed to Vanity Fair.
Power Couple
In 2020, the power couple was tested yet again when they became the first celebrities to contract COVID-19. Their recovery proves just how strong they really are. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson consistently use the powers of true love, loyalty, and emotional support to overcome whatever evil the universe throws at them!
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