A news anchor is dying from cancer and told viewers this week that he has just months to live.
Dave Benton, an Illinois news anchor for WCIA-TV News in Champaign, told viewers on Thursday that his cancer has come back, and that his brain tumor is too large to remove or treat with radiation.
The 51-year-old was honest with viewers about his condition after he’d already had radiation treatment. Benton posted the video on his Facebook page as well. His announcement can be seen in the video below.
Patheos posted the sad news on their site as well.
The anchorman shares that he only has four-to-six months to live, and plans to work as long as he can. He says that he’ll try a new treatment designed to slow the tumor’s growth so he can add “a few more days and make them the best they can be.” A born-again Christian, Benton said during his on-air announcement that he believes he’s in God’s hands and He will take care of the days ahead.
“I believe that I’m in God’s hands. I am at peace and I know he’s going to take care of the days ahead and that the goal here is to have the best ones possible.”
On Thursday, the news anchor thanked his viewers for all their support and wants to make the most he can in his final days.
Dave Benton has worked at the CBS affiliate studio for nine years. Benton was born in Buffalo, New York, and moved to Chicago when he was 5-years-old, then later grew up in Addison.
Benton graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in news broadcasting. He has a wife and two grown children.
He says at a very young age he knew what he wanted to be — a news anchor.
“I wondered what it would be like to uncover stories about the neighborhoods where we lived and share them, so I decided to become a reporter. I got a rush of excitement when my first story aired and I thought this is what it must be like.”
Benton completed radiation therapy for his brain cancer in February, but his remission was short-lived when it came back again.
Dave Benton will be missed by TV viewers and the staff at WCIA-TV. Although the news anchor is dying, he maintains a great attitude and is enjoying the life he has left with loved ones and doing what he loves as a news broadcaster.
[Photo Credit: Dave Benton Facebook]