Detroit radio, TV favorite Jamie Edmonds shares breast cancer diagnosis

WJR-AM (760) "'JR Morning" co-host Jamie Edmonds revealed her breast cancer diagnosis on the air and through social media on Monday, April 13.

Edmonds, who also contributes as a sports anchor and reporter for WDIV-TV (Local 4 News), told listeners that she found out about her cancer about two months ago and has started chemotherapy through Henry Ford Health. She expressed "full faith" in her medical team there.

She described it on "'JR Morning" as "a total gut punch." She also shared that the support she has received from others who have gone through breast cancer convinced her to give a public health update.

"I’ve told other people’s stories for a long time during my broadcasting career, and I think it’s maybe time I tell my own," she said on the air.

In an open letter posted on WJR's website (and a similar Instagram post), Edmonds wrote, "After the initial shock subsided, I entered some very dark and scary times. ‘Would I be around to see my young daughter grow up?’ ‘Would the doctors be able to cure me?’ ‘Why did this happen in the first place?’ I don’t have any family history, and I don’t have the BRCA gene."

According to Edmonds, she found comfort from her faith, family, friends and what she describes as the breast cancer community.

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"Strangers called me and texted me," she wrote. "We cried together on the phone. I also watched a lot of stories on social media of women who had the same diagnosis as me. Hearing and watching those women’s stories of survival helped me to have hope. If they can do it, I can do it."

She continued, "If telling my story can help others, then I’m happy to share and I plan to do so."

Edmonds revealed in her open letter that she has completed "six chemotherapy treatments of the 16 planned over 20 weeks at Henry Ford Health. It’s not easy by any means, but I am surviving!"

Edmonds joined WDIV in January 2013, according to her station biography, and previously worked at TV stations in Flint and Lansing. She joined WDIV 13 years ago. She has won two Michigan Association of Broadcasters best sportscast awards and been nominated two times for Michigan Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

She co-hosts "'JR Mornings" with Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson.

Friends and fans of Edmonds expressed their love and support for her in comments on her Instagram post.

"It’s so brave to share during our most vulnerable life moments a personal journey. It speaks to your strength and I have no doubt you will crush cancer and get back to being healthy on the other side," wrote WDIV-TV anchor Rhonda Walker. "But from so many people I know who have also won the battle the fight is hard and I’m sending you prayers as you get through it one day at a time."

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Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.