NBC 5 anchor tells her story to fellow breast cancer survivors

After a successful stint as a morning anchor at NBC 5 in Chicago, Zoraida Sambolin had just settled into her dream job as an anchor at CNN in New York.

“I was covering major news stories, finally feeling like I belonged at CNN,” she said.

And then in 2013 came a breast cancer diagnosis.

Sambolin recalled the diagnosis before a crowd of fellow survivors and their families at Northwest Community Healthcare's annual breast cancer survivor celebration in Arlington Heights.

She spoke about the changes that followed — including her decision to undergo a double mastectomy and rejoin NBC 5 in Chicago — as well as the impact the diagnosis had on her two children and her husband-to-be, Kenny Williams, executive vice-president of the Chicago White Sox.

“Hearing you have breast cancer as you are driving to pick up your son from school can knock the wind out of you,” she said.

She also addressed the dilemma she faced as her story became public.

“As a journalist, you are never the story,” she said. “You tell other people stories.”

At the time, she said, actress Angelina Jolie was receiving criticism for writing an op-ed piece about choosing to undergo a bilateral mastectomy — a move critics said “glamorized” the procedure.

But it was CNN's coverage of Jolie's decision that gave Sambolin the opportunity to tell her story.

“I am eternally grateful for Angelina's candor, because she gave me a voice,” she said. “She empowered me to share my story.”

Sambolin's story connected with the audience Sunday.

“I was encouraged by her,” said breast cancer survivor Barbara Winfield of Mount Prospect. “It gives you a good feeling that you're not alone, going through this procedure, and there are other women out there.”

More than 100 breast cancer survivors and their families and friends attended the event's ninth annual edition Sunday.

Christine Masonick, breast program coordinator at NCH, said she was thrilled “to see that sea of pink and know that they are women who are enjoying life.”

Among the volunteers at the event was retired nurse and survivor Judyth Clarkson of Mount Prospect,

“Once I was diagnosed, I never felt alone. I had people around me all the time that were willing to help,” she said.