JimPete recovering from prostate cancer surgery; will miss last 2 preseason broadcasts
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:17 pm
Petersen said the Timberwolves, Lynx and Bally’s have been so supportive of him in a fast-moving situation. He has spoken extensively with Bally’s pregame and postgame host Marney Gellner, who has gone through a very public battle with breast cancer.
“We kind of shared our experiences,” Petersen said. “She’s been incredibly valuable to me as a friend and she’s been super supportive through this whole process.”
Watching Gellner be so open about her experience and become a real face and advocate for cancer patients and survivors inspired Petersen to take a similar approach. In the early days of his diagnosis, Petersen thought long and hard about keeping his health situation private. But he saw how people responded to Gellner and how her advocacy for early testing resonated with a large audience and decided to follow suit. He also reflected on his experience and how he neglected to get his PSA checked for several years.
“After going through it and after talking with so many people that have gone through it, too, I just came to the realization that I’ve got a platform to be able to alert people,” he said. “This is important. … I think it’s a really good reminder and I wish I’d have listened to my own advice on that one earlier.”
“We kind of shared our experiences,” Petersen said. “She’s been incredibly valuable to me as a friend and she’s been super supportive through this whole process.”
Watching Gellner be so open about her experience and become a real face and advocate for cancer patients and survivors inspired Petersen to take a similar approach. In the early days of his diagnosis, Petersen thought long and hard about keeping his health situation private. But he saw how people responded to Gellner and how her advocacy for early testing resonated with a large audience and decided to follow suit. He also reflected on his experience and how he neglected to get his PSA checked for several years.
“After going through it and after talking with so many people that have gone through it, too, I just came to the realization that I’ve got a platform to be able to alert people,” he said. “This is important. … I think it’s a really good reminder and I wish I’d have listened to my own advice on that one earlier.”