
A perfectly clad stately woman boldly announced to the world that she has cancer. Muted undertones filled every house, office, device and studio as Joan Lunden made more of a statement than a sorrowful plea for pity. She had determined long before stepping in from of that camera that she was determined. Determined to live, to love, and to be with her family. Be there for herself and try to heal the hearts and souls of so many that she was, is able to touch during a daily routine. Joan has reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and become a spokesperson to many a worthy organization, one in particular being, A Place For Mom, a national senior care referral service.
No doubt her most fulfilling role next to being a mother to a Brady Bunch lot of 7 children, 3 from former marriages, 4 with her loving husband Jeff Konisberg, she has a cheering section some could only wish for on a good day. Not to mention the cherry on top: a new granddaughter, her first, born just this September, granting her another title-Grandma!
In an interview earlier today with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover of Access Hollywood, Joan revealed that in the first minutes of learning of her new condition she ran through the panic-stricken checklist of things she needed to do in order to get her affairs in order. As quickly as she started the catalogue, she paused. Stopping the instinctive auto-response of "what am I going to do?" Why? Because she was going to do just what she had been doing-living....living.
She researched options, accepted experimental treatments and despite the concealment of major pain and energy loss, she started healing, if only at a mental pace. With unbelievable strength she moved forward in motivating and educating. On her site, www.joanlunden.com she created vlogs of her journey, cancer awareness and groups that can help. Author of eight books, earning a Liberal Arts degree at Sacramento State College, conquered bungee jumping and paragliding,
Joan has done it all.
At 64, her longest mile will history her to a place of less regret, hitting the ground running. Go Joan Go!
...And stay, because we can count on you to be present, real and there for anyone needing to go beyond the triumph~