Illinois TV anchorman makes heartbreaking, on-air announcement of terminal brain cancer diagnosis


Dave Benton has been a staple of Champaign, Illinois' WCIA-3 news team for the past nine years. On Thursday, he and co-anchor Jennifer Roscoe sat down at the end of their nightly newscast to inform viewers of some very sad news.
Benton, 51, has been battling brain cancer for nearly a year. He completed radiation treatment in February, but a new tumor grew back, which doctors told Benton is too large for surgery or radiation.
"Doctors say I have anywhere from four-to-six months before things turn bad," Benton wrote in a statement on the station's website. "I'm dedicated to keep working. I'll be here bringing you the news as long as I'm able."
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Benton added in the on-air segment that his story is just one of many, and he encouraged support for all of those suffering from cancer. Watch the full, heartbreaking segment, below. --Sarah Eberspacher
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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
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