Robert Herjavec Uses ‘Dancing With The Stars’ To Promote Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson danced an emotional waltz on Monday night’s installment of Dancing With the Stars. The Shark Tank investor and his professional partner were paying tribute to Herjavec’s late mother, who passed away in 2006. In the taped lead-in to their performance, Herjavec revealed that his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and was told by doctors she had little time left.

In his blog for Entertainment Weekly, Herjavec took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of early detection. Using statistics from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, he demonstrated there is much that needs to be done.

“[There were] approximately 22,000 new cases of Ovarian Cancer reported across the U.S. last year alone. There was a 44.6 percent chance of survival for those diagnosed between 2004-2010.

“We need to do more. We must do more. Cancer doesn’t care if you’re tall, short, small, large, someone’s brother, sister, father or someone’s mom.

“I was floored at the response on social media after our dance. We have all been touched by cancer in some way, shape, or form.”

The waltz was part of the DWTS annual exploration of the contestants’ most memorable year.

Herjavec and Johnson’s waltz was a hit with the audiences and with the judges, who awarded them their first 9s of the season. Herjavec was visibly emotional upon hearing the judges’ reactions to the dance and to his personal story. Johnson took to Twitter to convey her pride in their performance.

Danced the most magical dance with robertherjavec tonight. This is why I love to dance and love… https://t.co/5KnbwiQxjm

— Kym Johnson (@kym_johnson) April 7, 2015

Asked by fans which shark should be the next to hit the ballroom, Herjavec noted that Mark Cuban has already participated. He was also paired with Kym Johnson.

Herjavec singled out Kevin O’Leary, with whom Herjavec has had a long relationship on television. The Inquisitr recently revisited an old and entertaining episode of the CBC’s Dragons’ Den when O’Leary and Herjavec judged an investment pitch from the proprietor of a crystal healing practice.

As to why O’Leary, dubbed “Mr. Wonderful” on Shark Tank, is right for the program, Herjavec said, “I’d love to see Kevin step as far outside of his comfort zone as I have. It could be good for Mr. Wonderful to be judged.”

Next week is Disney week on Dancing With the Stars. The program gets started at 8 p.m. Monday on ABC.

[Robert Herjavec main image courtesy of Getty]