Cancer Type – Leukemia
Bio – He was awarded 19 Emmy’s for his journalism work, yet he fought a silent battle he never reported on.
Short Story – Ed Bradley was a role model. The Veteran of 60 Minutes broke down racial barriers and was the first African American White House correspondent for CBS News. Considered a legend in the industry, he shined in groundbreaking journalism including his work on the worst school shooting in American history, “Columbine,” and interview with Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
Years prior to his death, Bradley was diagnosed with CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, his doctor stated the disease was not life-threatening until Bradley contracted an infection that his damaged immune system was unable to defeat.
CLL is characterized by a progressive accumulation of functionally incompetent lymphocytes and is the most common form of leukemia among adults. Up to 17,000 new cases are reported yearly in the U.S. The disease is typically not treated at early detection, as studies have shown little advantage.
Bradley passed away from complications of CLL at the age of 65.
Thank you Ed Bradley for being a journalism role model.
Ed Bradley Leukemia Update
The Ed Bradley Scholarship was established in 1994. Since that time, 20 aspiring young journalists of African-American, Indian, and other ethnicities have been awarded the scholarship. Past winners have gone on to employment with PNR, CNN, and Al-Jazeera America, and have achieved careers as journalists, commentators, media attorneys to Saturday Night Live comedy writer, and White House speechwriter.
The receiver of the scholarship award receives $10,000 and an invite to the Excellence in Journalism symposium.
Ed also received a National Press Foundation award in 1992
| Born | Edward Rudolph Bradley, Jr. June 22, 1941, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | November 9, 2006 (aged 65), New York City, New York, United States |
| Cause of death | Complications from chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| Education | Cheyney State College |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 1967–2006 |
| Notable credit(s) | 60 Minutes, CBS News |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Blanchet (2004–06), Priscilla Coolidge (1981–84) (deceased), Diane Jefferson (1964–67) (deceased) |
Image Credits – By White House Staff Photographers (US National Archives website) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
