Support Through Cancer
- “TODAY” show anchor Hoda Kotb, 58, sang on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the “Queen of Country Pop” Shania Twain, on Tuesday, prompting awe and praise from the TV personality’s fans.
- During the event Twain announced to her 20,000 fans that she would be reissuing her landmark “Come on Over” album, scheduled for release on Aug. 25.
- It’s great to see that Kotb and Twain have maintained a friendship throughout the years. “Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet.
- “Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment,” Dr. Strongin said.
The sold-out Tuesday night concert was a night to remember, especially for Kotb as she got to sing one of Twain’s hit songs alongside her.
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
Moments later, Twain announced to her audience, making them the “first to know,” that she would be reissuing her landmark “Come on Over” album, scheduled for release on Aug. 25.
“So, you guys are the first to know, I’m very excited about it. It’s really amazing how music can go through this full cycle and live through generations. And that’s, of course, all because of you,” Twain said, looking at her audience.
Twain even took to Instagram after the memorable event, sharing a clip of her revealing the news, captioning the post, “With Come On Over, it was important for me to give what I thought was the best record of my life – no holding back!
“Especially as a follow-up to the certified Diamond 'The Woman In Me'. I knew I had more in me than one Diamond album. And with that, I'm happy to announce 'Come On Over: Diamond Edition' will be released on August 25th and you can pre-order it on my webstore now.”
With Come On Over, it was important for me to give what I thought was the best record of my life – no holding back! I knew I had more in me than one Diamond album 😉 And with that, I'm happy to announce 'Come On Over: Diamond Edition' 💎, out August 25. https://t.co/AentiwOXxC pic.twitter.com/JdLjnc5ypY
— Shania Twain 💎💎💎 (@ShaniaTwain) July 12, 2023
But it was what came after that announcement that left Kotb fans in absolute awe – the long-time friends sang together.
“Hoda, after all these years of knowing you, we’re finally going to sing together,” Twain said, prompting the two to sing part of the song, “You’re Still the One.”
Recapping the moment for the “TODAY,” show, Kotb said, “As I left the stage, I knew that moment, that magic would stay with me for a lifetime.”
She even took to Instagram to share the moment, writing alongside a video clip of her singing with the Canadian singer-songwriter and actress, “Ok this happened. Nobody like @shaniatwain @thegarden.”
LET’S GO GIRLS! @hodakotb joined @ShaniaTwain on stage at Madison Square Garden .. and we're obsessed with their friendship. 🎤 pic.twitter.com/ki4J2gSOKO
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 12, 2023
That post prompted an immense amount of praise from the breast cancer warriors fans.
“LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!! Why is Hoda SO dadgum loveable!!! Maybe because she's southern?!!! I feel that in my bones!!!” one fan commented.
Another wrote, “MS. HODAAAAA YOU DID THAT……WELL GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!!!…….I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE NOW………HODA HODA HODA.”
A third fan commented, “You made the show sweet HODA! We love you !!!!!! This was such a profound moment.”
Other comments read, “WOW, Hoda! What CAN'T you do????” and “Pinch yourself -we might all be dreaming!! SO happy for you to have that moment.”
Support For Hoda Kotb Through Cancer, Fertility & Relationship Struggles
It’s incredible to see Hoda Kotb’s fans supporting her throughout life, especially after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 – news which came when she was 43 after doctors found lumps in her breast tissue during a routine exam.
Kotb’s fans have also been there for her after she and Joel Schiffman split after eight years together, as well as her fertility struggles that followed her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The Unique Features of Breast Cancer: Deciding the Right Course of Treatment
Following her breast cancer diagnosis, Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction followed by five years taking the drug tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
"Cancer shaped me, but it did not define me. It's part of me, but not all of me," Kotb said at an annual Breast Cancer Research Foundation New York Symposium and Awards Luncheon in 2017.
She's still cancer-free today, but Kotb has since opened up about her fertility struggles following her breast cancer battle.
"I remember that my oncologist called, and we were talking about freezing my eggs," Kotb told Good Housekeeping. "She basically said that given my age and (my breast cancer treatment), it was pretty close to a dead-end."
Her reaction was, understandably, filled with sorrow. And at that moment, she doubted she'd ever realize her dream of becoming a mother.
Dr. Terri Woodard discusses your options for preserving fertility after a cancer diagnosis
But fast forward to today, and Kotb loves taking care of her two girls: Haley, 6, and Hope, 4. She adopted Haley in 2017 and Hope two years later. And she thanks her now ex-fianceÌ, financier Joel Schiffman for providing the support she needed to become a mother.
“I don't think I would've adopted if it hadn't been for Joel," she said of Schiffman. "Having a stable relationship in that moment was really important. Once that fell into place, it didn't seem as scary to me.”
Support During a Cancer Journey
Support during a cancer journey, like Hoda Kotb had from her fans and loved ones is crucial and not just for your mental health.
"Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery," licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet.
"Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment."
It's wonderful to find comfort in family and friends, but sometimes people need to look outside of their normal circles of support during a cancer.
For ovarian cancer survivor Ni Guttenfelder, therapy proved to be exactly what she needed. Though it did take some time to match with the right counselor.
"Initially I went to a session where I just cried and the counselor basically told me what I was feeling was normal and didn't offer me any type of feedback. But I knew that I needed something more than that. Not just a crying session and a pat on my shoulder," she said.
"What I have found is that it's critical to find the right counselor, not just any counselor."
Once she found a counselor she could really open up to, Guttenfelder started to see some clarity.
"One of the things that my counselor has taught me from the very beginning that has helped me is the concept of acceptance," she said.
"Acceptance is a process. It's like downloading a computer file in increments. Visualizing it in that way has really helped me."
Beyond family, friends and therapy, support groups, social media and community groups such as church groups or athletic teams can all be great places to combat loneliness during a cancer battle.
No matter what you decide to do, consider opening up to at least some people. You never know how much it could help you, or those around you, unless you try.
Finding Support Through Her Church Ovarian Cancer Survivor Robyn Smith's Story
The Power of Women Friendships
Previously, actress Jaclyn Smith, 77, known for starring in the iconic television series “Charlie's Angeles,” spoke with SurvivorNet about how she battled breast cancer with support from her friends.
Smith leaned on her girlfriends after her diagnosis for the extra special support she needed. While her family was there to love her through her journey and they did Smith said her friends could lift her up in a way other couldn't.
"I talk about the power of girlfriends," Smith said. "…The family was so emotionally tied to [the cancer journey]. I saw them worry. Whereas the girlfriends would say, 'OK, we're going to lunch. Should we go to Johnny Rockets today?'
"They were just always cheery and they were always up, and they wouldn't let me get down," Smith added. "And if I heard anything, they diffused the story. It's nice to have family, but it's nice to get that support from friends, too."
It's true, friendships can be an invaluable resource during a cancer journey. Just take it from actress Jane Fonda.
"Not having women friends is as bad for your health as smoking," Fonda recently said, referencing research from Harvard Medical School. "Women look into each other's eyes, and they ask for help. They show their vulnerability. That's so important. That's important for health."
Indeed, an article by Harvard Medical School supports the idea that "strong relationships," in general, have an impact on overall health.
How to Talk to a Friend With Cancer: Don't Say Stupid Stuff
"One study, which examined data from more than 309,000 people, found that lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50% an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity," the article reads.
Another study referenced by Harvard suggests that "among women, social isolation and low social support were consistently associated with lower cognitive function."
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.