Sunrise’s beloved newsreader, Edwina Bartholomew, stunned fans when she revealed her chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) diagnosis live on air in September.
Since then, she’s been open about her journey, but there’s one thing she’s kept hidden from her children – and it’s heartbreaking.
A Secret Too Big to Share
In a recent interview on the Stellar podcast Something To Talk About, Edwina opened up about her decision not to tell her four-year-old daughter, Molly, and two-year-old son, Tom, about her cancer diagnosis. The 41-year-old journalist explained that her kids are too young to understand, and she wants to protect them from the harsh reality of her illness.
“My kids are two and four, I never had to have the conversation with them, which is such a huge relief. So for them, there’s no physical difference,” Edwina shared. “I’m actually probably feeling better than I was, not as tired and taking care of myself better. So for them, there’s only a plus side – because I’m around more and probably more present than I was before, deliberately.”
Shielding Her Little Ones
Edwina revealed that she’s “really careful not to mention the word cancer” around her children or talk about her treatment, being sick, or going to the doctor. She wants to preserve their innocence and keep their world full of wonder and excitement.
“When I’m with them, it’s just this beautiful little world that belongs to toddlers, completely oblivious to what’s going on everywhere else,” she said. “They wouldn’t have any idea at all. That’s a really, really beautiful thing.”
Telling Her Parents: A Different Story
While Edwina has been able to shield her children from the truth, she couldn’t spare her parents the same emotional pain. She recalled the “really emotional discussion” she had with them, especially her dad.
“Watching dad find out was probably harder than watching mum, because I think dads are often quite stoic, aren’t they? It was really emotional,” Edwina admitted. “I was able to explain to mum and dad straight up the nuts and bolts and the practicalities of it, what would happen and the treatment – and that I had to have a biopsy to confirm it.”
New Chapter Ahead?
Rumors have been circulating that Edwina might be leaving Sunrise and moving to the newsroom. According to news.com.au, this potential move would depend on when 64-year-old veteran newsreader Ann Sanders announces her retirement. It would also be a cost-cutting move. Could this new gig be a healthier and more sustainable option for Edwina? Only time will tell.