It’s the kind of news I hate having to write about, but former Survivor winner Ethan Zohn’s cancer has returned.
In an interview with People, the thirty-seven year old reality television star explains that doctors told him on September 14 that the cancer had returned to his chest. Ethan had spent the previous twenty months in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, even while in remission, Ethan was concerned that the cancer could come back.
He states, “I don’t want fear or cancer to define me, but it’s always in the back of your mind.” Ethan continues, telling the magazine, “It’s localized in my lung area, [but] it’s good that it’s not all over my body.”
Ethan reveals that his long time girlfriend, another Survivor winner and Zohn’s recent Amazing Race partner, was with him when he received the news. Of thirty-year-old Jenna Morasco, Ethan admits, “We’re both filled with fear and anger and anxiety and gratitude and frustration. But there’s so much love there. It’s this whole spectrum of emotions.” He is grateful for his love of eight years who “[is] taking it like the rock star that she is.”
Ethan began a new form of chemotherapy on October 18, which will continue for twelve weeks. SNG-35 is a type of treatment that only targets cancerous cells, meaning, says Ethan, “I won’t lose my hair again.”
Once finished with the chemo, Ethan will likely go through another stem-cell transplant. One of his brothers is hopefully a match for Ethan, although his doctors won’t tell him which one. Zohn explains, “They didn’t want me to start treating one differently than the other. Of course my whole family is taking bets on who it is.”
Not the kind of person to let this news take over his life, Ethan reveals that on November 6, he will run the New York marathon as planned. He is participating in the race to raise money for his Grassroot Soccer organization, which Zohn founded to promote AIDS awareness, as well as prevention and education of the disease.
“The doctors think I’m crazy but they gave me the okay,” Ethan admits. He continues, “Cancer isn’t going to slow me down. I want people to know that you can still live a fulfilled life and move forward.”
What an amazing attitude to have and one that will definitely help him on his road to recovery. We here at RT are praying for Ethan’s quick return to good health!
