Channel 3 Sports Anchor Jim Donovan announced today that he is leaving WKYC-TV on a medical leave of absence. Beginning next week, he will begin the process of a bone marrow transplant for treatment of leukemia.
"While it's not our normal policy to discuss personnel matters, this is a unique situation and we want to make sure folks understand how much we love, respect and want to support Jim," said WKYC-TV President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. "He has been battling leukemia for over ten years, and in partnership with his medical team has undergone multiple treatments. Jimmy is a very private person, and has managed to keep his incredibly hectic schedule and job without most of our staff and viewers realizing the physical and mental effort involved. But now, it's time for him to try and beat this disease once and for all."
"I've gone through a lot of treatment for close to 11 years and right now a transplant gives me the best chance for a full recovery," added Donovan. "My wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Meghan, have been with me through it all and we figured now it was time to allow people to know what is going on in my life. My goal is to get healthy and to be back covering Cleveland sports as soon as possible."
"Weekend sports anchor Dave Chudowsky will fill-in while Jim is home recuperating," said News Director Rita Andolsen.
Donovan joined WKYC-TV in March of 1985 as a weekend sports anchor and was promoted to Sports Director in 1986. In 1999, Jim was named the radio play-by-play voice of the Cleveland Browns.
Browns President, Mike Holmgren issued the following statement: "On behalf of everyone here at the Cleveland Browns, I'd like to wish Jim a speedy recovery. Jim has been a respected voice in the Cleveland sports scene for many years, and his association with our organization is held in high esteem. His name has become synonymous with the Browns and we consider him a part of our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this process."
"Jim Donovan is a huge part of the success of Channel 3 and we will be thrilled when he is in good health and back on the anchor desk," added Mr. Spectorsky. "Our prayers are with him and his family, and we know the viewers of northeast Ohio will be equally supportive."
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
You generally don't do bone marrow transplants unless every other option has been exhausted. It's a last-ditch effort
well, it at least means the chemotherapy didn't put it into full remission. if he's been fighting for 11 years, it seems like the logical choice.
the real question is how advanced the disease is. if it's considered "advanced" then his odds of being with us even 2 years after the transplant are very low. if it's not though, there are decent chances of him being around at least 6 years (if not longer if he can get it to go into full remission). Charts are in the link below.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.
Quote:
For a patient with AML, the treatment plan may include: Chemotherapy — drugs that destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing (described below). A bone marrow or cord blood transplant (described below). All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) if he or she has the subtype of AML known as promyelocytic leukemia. Other newer treatments that were recently developed or are still being studied in clinical trials.
Quote:
For some patients, a bone marrow or cord blood transplant may offer the best chance for a long-term remission. A transplant is a strong treatment with risks of serious side effects, so it is not used for all patients with AML. A transplant is used when chemotherapy alone is unlikely to provide a long-term remission.
The brother-in-law of a friend just passed away from leukemia after suffering the side-effects of a marrow transplant. It truly is a case where if the cure doesn't kill you, you're going to be around for a while.
It's generally a last resort because the process wipes out the patient's immune system completely. They are immediately susceptible to *everything*. On top of that, you still have to worry about things like donor rejection. In the case of my friend, he died because basically, the blood cells from the new marrow attacked his organs.
By the way, The Bone Marrow Registry (marrow.org) is a great site. If anyone hasn't done it already, go there and sign up to be a marrow donor. It's quick and easy. They'll send you a few swabs in the mail, you just wipe the inside of your mouth with them to collect cells and mail it back to them and they add you to their catalog of potential donors.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Here's hoping he can pull through this! I really love listening to him call games. He gets really excited, but he's usually on point, too. He'll be critical when he needs to and not just fluff like some of the TV guys.
Quote: It's generally a last resort because the process wipes out the patient's immune system completely. They are immediately susceptible to *everything*.
Purp, maybe you know this,, if not, I'll do some research, But after the patients immune system is wiped out, does it/can it come back or is the patient susceptable to "everything" for the rest of thier lives?
Just wondering
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Get well soon Jim. He's a great football announcer (We Cleveland fans are blessed with great broadcasters) I thought he really has evolved as an excellent play by play man.
Very kinda extremely... especially when performing a partial edit of a sentence, lol
@Daman
Quote: Purp, maybe you know this,, if not, I'll do some research, But after the patients immune system is wiped out, does it/can it come back or is the patient susceptable to "everything" for the rest of thier lives?
Just wondering
I don't fully know, but I believe that it all hinges upon your body and the new marrow getting along nicely. Once you have that, then you've got white blood cells and you can begin to develop antibodies again.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Really enjoy listening to him call Browns games. I wonder who will take his place if he's not ready to start the season?
I sure as hell hope it's not Mike Snyder. I thought he was horrible for the pre season games as well as the Cavaliers games. They may get someone else who does another NFL team. JMO.
In any event, Jim Donovan has always been my favorite play by play announcer and I hope he doesn't stay out for too long. God be with you and your family Jim. My prayers are with you.
"My opinions and feelings are mine and shall not be influenced by anyone....especially liberals."
The procedure may be easy, but it isn't comfortable.
I've had 4 spinals for a lower spine issue many years ago.
Having a needle about the length and diameter of the tube on the dust remover bottle many of you probably have near your computer inserted in to you spine is no picnic.
I'll admit....i have a fear of Dr's. I hate white coats...I hate the smell of the Dr. office....I hate nurses.....I hate even driving by a hospital thinking about the torture going on inside that place.
I know...they all care and all are doing their best to help you, but it all stems from those damn needles stuck in to the spine.
I admit....I am afraid of them more then death.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
Unbelievable, he is so energetic, nobody would ever know this by listening to his broadcast.
He is the reason that I have logged on to WMMS on Sunday gameday, listening to the pre-game Browns show for many many years..........man I sure hope he has a speedy recovery and makes it back to his job real soon.
HE is the voice of the Cleveland Browns...nobody can replace him!
Quote: Unbelievable, he is so energetic, nobody would ever know this by listening to his broadcast.
He is the reason that I have logged on to WMMS on Sunday gameday, listening to the pre-game Browns show for many many years..........man I sure hope he has a speedy recovery and makes it back to his job real soon.
HE is the voice of the Cleveland Browns...nobody can replace him!
NOBODY!
Here's to a quick recovery Jim Donovan!
Oh yeah, his energy is incredible. Fun guy to watch. if you ever saw him on some of various Browns shows he hosts, he really takes quick jabs at Grossi.. I love watching it.
About him being the voice of the Browns,, you are correct.. But the same was said of Nev Chandler.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Wanted to add that he also does a great job with the training camp shows. One of my favorite things to watch in the summer when we're all so thirsty for Browns stuff. He and Andre Knott are great together.
Apparently, Donovan had the Bone Marrow transplant the other day..
Quote: Cleveland, Ohio - In the tight circle of the Northeast Ohio sports media, nearly everyone knows Jim Donovan.
But very few actually knew the radio voice of the Browns and WKYC Channel 3 sports director has been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) for 11 years. At least not until Donovan announced it May 25. Donovan had a bone marrow transplant Tuesday at the Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospitals.
"From what I've heard, things went well," said Sam Rutigliano, the former Browns coach who participates in Browns TV shows on SportsTime Ohio hosted by Donovan.
Donovan is expected to be out several months as he recovers, but hopes to be back for the Browns games in the fall.
Rutigliano had been aware of Donovan's duel with leukemia for "a few years." He knew the sportscaster had chemotherapy treatments, and there were times when he looked a little worn out.
"But he's a private guy, he never talked much about it," said Rutigliano. "He is the same every day -- upbeat and excited to do whatever show he's doing. He's a guy who parks his ego at the door. When he does a show, he wants you to look and sound good. It's not about him."
Plain Dealer Browns writer Mary Kay Cabot said she never heard about the leukemia until the day Donovan made it public. Like Rutigliano, she also did STO shows with Donovan.
"So few people knew," she said. "He spent a lot of time talking with me about [my husband] Bill's heart surgery last year. He really was concerned about that, and here he was going through this."
Someone who did know is Doug Dieken, who teams with Donovan on Browns radio broadcasts along with some STO shows.
"Jim reminds me so much of [former Browns radio voice] Nev Chandler because of his love of sports," said Dieken. "Sports are his Red Bull. When he does a game, he stands up in the booth for the entire game. When there's a big play, his arms are waving, he's pointing as he describes it. And remember, this guy has been battling leukemia."
Dieken said Chandler and Casey Coleman -- two Browns radio voices who died from cancer -- "are some of the toughest guys I've even been around, just like Jim. Players talk about playing hurt. Well, try working after chemo."
Keep in mind Dieken played left tackle for the Browns for 14 years, including games with broken bones and other significant injuries. But he is in awe of what he has seen from Chandler, Coleman and Donovan as they battled their diseases.
Why did Donovan keep it a secret?
"He loves to talk, but doesn't like to talk about himself," said Dieken. "Actually, he does talk to himself. He rehearses what he'll say for an opening to a show. Nev did the same thing. Those guys never used a teleprompter."
Dieken paused then added, "Those guys never wanted anyone to feel sorry for them. They're pros."
Andre Knott replaced Coleman as the Browns' sideline reporter. For several years, he traveled on the team plane with Dieken and Donovan to games.
"I was overwhelmed by all the preparation that Jim does," said Knott. "He'd study on the plane to the game on Saturday. We'd go out to dinner, and afterwards, he'd be back in his hotel room doing more homework for the game. I know he stayed up late, and he did it year after year."
Donovan was sick on the plane the day before a 2009 game at Kansas City. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to call the game the next day.
"I had to do it if Jim couldn't go," said Knott. "He kept talking to me, telling me that I'd do a good job. He told others that I'd be just fine filling in. He was the one who was sick, and he was worried about me."
But Donovan was in the booth for the 41-34 victory over the Chiefs.
"That was the game where [Joshua] Cribbs had all those great returns," said Dieken. "Jim was so excited, he was ready to jump out of the booth and run on the field."
Dieken talked about Donovan in the dressing room after games with his microphone and camera man, fighting the media mobs to secure interviews for his sportscasts.
"Some guys in his position would act like they are too big for that," said Dieken. "To Jim, it was part of doing a good job. Look, he's a guy who doesn't blow his own horn."
Channel 3 station manager Brooke Spectorsky has worked with Donovan for 13years.
"He can do about anything -- news sports, weather, you name it," insisted Spectorsky. "In our last election, [newscaster] Tim White lost his voice. He couldn't go on the air. I thought about who to put on with Romona [Robinson], and gave it to Jim. You'd swear he had been doing that all his life."
Spectorsky said there were days when Donovan had "terrible sweats" from the leukemia treatments: "He'd go somewhere by himself for an hour, come back and do the show -- and you'd never guess what he was going through."
Knott mentioned being in a car with Donovan and Dieken after a game in Buffalo, and how Donovan kept switching to various NFL broadcasts on the Sirius network.
"He likes to hear what other broadcasters are doing," said Knott. "He wants to keep getting better. This guy is really good, and I think he's underrated."
Part of the reason is Donovan being in the same town as Cavs Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Tait and Tom Hamilton, who has developed a huge following doing Tribe radio games.
"We really have our own Big Three here with Joe, Tom and Jim," said Dieken. "Jim has done the Olympics. He did some network NFL telecasts before getting the Browns job [in 1999]. He's a big time talent."
The 54-year-old Donovan is from Boston, but he's been in the Cleveland market since 1985, doing the weeknight sportscasts on Channel 3. He settled in Northeast Ohio with his wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Megan.
"When he first came here, I thought Jim would want to get back to Boston," said Rutigliano. "But he embraced the teams and the area. He loves it here."
As Donovan wrote on Channel 3's website right before his surgery this week: "I was born in Boston, but Cleveland is my home. And one more thing, way to go Dallas Mavs!"
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
I really hope Jim gets better. He's one of the very best in the biz. Cleveland has been spoiled for a long time between him, Tom Hamilton and Joe Tait.
no question. hopefully we can get jim or tom a championship call to add to their resume since joe missed out.
i think that's the one thing about the cavs/lbj that still bugs me. We will never get to hear Joe Tait make that legendary phrase "The Cleveland Cavaliers are world champions"
I really hope Jim gets better. He's one of the very best in the biz. Cleveland has been spoiled for a long time between him, Tom Hamilton and Joe Tait.
Good point. I really liked listening to those guys (well, didn't listen to Tait much, but I know about him).
I loved listening to Donovan call games. He gets excited, which is cool, but he also calls it like it is, too.
I really hope Jim gets better. He's one of the very best in the biz. Cleveland has been spoiled for a long time between him, Tom Hamilton and Joe Tait.
Jim Donovan may well be the only sportscaster/media type that I admire. Joe tait was pretty good too although I didn't listen a lot.. But when I did, I liked Tait..
Donovan isn't into sensationalism., He just tells you what's going on and lets you draw your own conclusions.
I prefer that.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
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