Early Start's new website
Zoraida Sambolin: 'Many thanks' for your support
I am humbled and empowered by your many emails, tweets, phone calls and postings of support.
My goal was just to let you know I would be gone and why, yet we have started a powerful dialogue that is providing me with so much courage and joy.
My commitment to you is to keep you informed of everything I learn and to continue the dialogue here.
I will be telling more stories and whenever possible posting a little extra something here. Again, many thanks.
– Zoraida Sambolin
If you would like to tell your story about breast cancer, go to CNN.com/iReport and join the conversation.
For more information about breast cancer, visit www.CNN.com/health or www.CNN.com/empoweredpatient.
Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy
CNN's Nischelle turner on the stunning revelation by Angelina Jolie regarding her preventive double mastectomy. Jolie revealed her decision in a New York Times Op-Ed.
In her op-ed Jolie addresses why she decided to have the preventative double mastectomy, and why it was so important for her to share her story to bring awareness to other women. She states in her op-ed, "I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."
Actress Valerie Harper diagnosed with rare form of brain cancer – Elizabeth Cohen breaks it down
Actress Valerie Harper, best known for her days on the hit shows "Rhoda" and The Mary Tyler Moore Show has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called that's affecting her brain. CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explains exactly what her rare condition is and what Harper is facing.
“This is not a tumor,” Cohen says. Loose cells in Harper’s spinal fluid are affecting her meninges, or the covering over the brain. "There are not a lot of great treatments for this," Cohen says.
CNN is told Harper is receiving chemotherapy. Doctors say "chemotherapy in this case, isn't really done to prolong life," but will help control pain and seizures for the time being, Cohen says. It may prolong life by a few weeks, but not by a lot. “She was told by her doctors [she has] about three months,” Cohen says. “It’s really a terrible, terrible form of cancer.”
Meanwhile, Harper is staying strong, appearing on talk shows to raise awareness about her illness with some inspiring words.
Minnesota teen uses music to cope with cancer; CNN's Ed Lavandera reports: leaving 'unforgettable melodies is Zach Sobiech’s final wish'
“Early Start” brings you a story of a brave 17-year-old Minnesota teen. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Zach Sobiech doesn’t expect to live to see his 18th birthday but he is determined to leave behind a musical legacy. CNN’s Ed Lavandera has his story.
“Zach Sobiech’s soul is filled with lyrics racing against time to get out,” Lavandera says. Zach was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer three years ago. After ten surgeries and endless chemotherapy, his doctor has told him he has just months to live. His mother has since suggested he write letters goodbye to family and friends.
“I am awful at writing,” Zach says. “I can’t sit down and write a letter. I’ve tried. I decided to pick up my guitar to start playing music.”
“That’s how his song called ‘Clouds’ was born,” Lavandera says, “a goodbye to those he loves.”
“It’s kind of me always being there for them,” Zach says. “If they keep singing that song throughout their whole life out, I’ll be right there next to them the whole way.”
He can’t stop writing lyrics now, “there are so many songs he wants to leave behind,” Lavandera says. “I can’t really put on the breaks at all,” Zach says, “I can’t wait for anything.”
“Turning the heartache of cancer into unforgettable melodies is Zach Sobiech’s final wish on this long goodbye.”
Buffett to undergo radiation treatments – CNN Elizabeth Cohen explains
CNN's Elizabeth Cohen explains the treatment process for Warren Buffett's type of prostate cancer.
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