Norah O’Donnell, a titan of broadcast journalism, has long been a trusted voice in American homes, delivering news with poise and precision as the anchor of CBS Evening News and a contributor to 60 Minutes. Her career, spanning over two decades, has seen her cover everything from presidential elections to global crises, earning her multiple Emmy Awards and a reputation for integrity. But in 2016, O’Donnell faced a personal crisis that shook her to her core: a diagnosis of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The revelation forced her to step away from her high-profile anchor role temporarily, confronting not just the physical toll of the disease but also a profound emotional fear that she now shares openly. Her story of resilience, vulnerability, and advocacy has captivated audiences, shedding light on the human side of a public figure and the universal importance of health vigilance.

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In November 2016, O’Donnell, then co-anchor of CBS This Morning, visited her dermatologist, Dr. Elizabeth Hale, for a routine checkup after a two-year gap. Expecting a clean bill of health, she was stunned when Dr. Hale identified two irregular spots on her upper left back and sent them for biopsy. While shopping for home goods the day after Thanksgiving, O’Donnell received an urgent email from her dermatologist. Sitting amidst luxurious linens at Bloomingdale’s, she called Dr. Hale and heard the words that would alter her life: “Your biopsy came back. It’s melanoma.” The diagnosis was melanoma in situ, meaning the cancer was confined to the epidermis and had not yet spread, offering a 100% curable prognosis if treated promptly. But the word “melanoma”—synonymous with aggressive, fast-moving cancer—sent O’Donnell spiraling into fear.

O’Donnell’s deepest fear wasn’t just the diagnosis itself but the impact it would have on her family. As a mother of three young children—twins Grace and Henry, born in 2007, and daughter Riley, born in 2008—she was haunted by the thought of leaving them. “My 9-year-old son said to me, ‘Well, is there any chance you can die from this surgery?’” O’Donnell recalled in a 2017 interview with People. Her immediate reassurance—“No. No. No.”—belied the emotional turmoil she felt. The prospect of her children confronting her mortality was a gut-wrenching reality. Her husband, Geoff Tracy, a Washington, D.C. restaurateur, was equally shaken, and the couple grappled with the uncertainty of the diagnosis together. “I was very upset and cried about it,” O’Donnell admitted, revealing the raw vulnerability that accompanied the news.

Stepping Away from the Spotlight

The diagnosis necessitated immediate action. In early January 2017, O’Donnell underwent surgery to remove a three-inch section of skin from her back, requiring 25 stitches and a six-week recovery period during which she couldn’t exercise. This physical limitation compounded her emotional distress, as exercise was a key outlet for her mental health. “Not being able to work out for six weeks was one of the hardest things,” she told People. “I was distraught. It made me realize how much exercise is tied to mental health.” The surgery was successful, and the cancer was fully removed, but the experience prompted O’Donnell to take a brief hiatus from CBS This Morning to focus on healing and family.

Stepping away from her demanding role was not just a logistical necessity but a moment of reckoning. O’Donnell, known for her tireless work ethic, had to confront the reality that her health demanded priority over her career. “It was the first time I confronted my own mortality,” she told NIH MedlinePlus Magazine in 2019. This brush with mortality reshaped her perspective, leading her to reflect on the choices that may have contributed to her diagnosis. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, O’Donnell spent countless hours in the sun without sunscreen, a common practice in her youth. As a teenager, she frequented tanning salons, unaware of their dangers. “People who first indoor-tan before age 35 have a 75% increased chance of melanoma,” Dr. Hale informed her, a statistic that hit hard given O’Donnell’s history.

A New Chapter and Ongoing Advocacy

By 2019, O’Donnell had transitioned to anchoring CBS Evening News, becoming the only network evening news anchor based in Washington, D.C. Her melanoma experience continued to influence her work, infusing her reporting with empathy, particularly on health-related stories. In 2025, she stepped down from CBS Evening News to take on a new role as a senior correspondent for CBS News and a contributor to 60 Minutes. This career shift was driven not by health concerns but by a desire for a less grueling schedule, allowing her to focus on in-depth storytelling and personal priorities. “Life isn’t just about what you achieve professionally—it’s about how you take care of yourself and those you love,” she said, encapsulating the lessons learned from her diagnosis.

O’Donnell’s openness about her melanoma has made her a powerful advocate for skin cancer prevention. She now undergoes skin checks every three to four months and has become meticulous about sun protection, keeping a drawer full of sunscreen by her front door. Her children, once unaware of the risks, now understand the importance of sunscreen, a change O’Donnell credits to her candid discussions with them. “My kids helped me put lotion on my scar, and now when I tell them to put on sunscreen, they understand the seriousness,” she told Healthline in 2021. Her advocacy extends beyond her family, as she uses her platform to urge others to prioritize preventive care. “Visiting a doctor isn’t just for when you’re sick. We should be visiting doctors when we’re healthy, so we don’t get sick,” she emphasized.

The Emotional and Professional Impact

The emotional weight of O’Donnell’s diagnosis lingered long after her physical recovery. The bright red scar on her back, visible in a strapless dress, serves as a permanent reminder of her journey. “I choose to see it not as something ugly, but as a reminder that early detection saves lives,” she wrote in a 2017 Good Housekeeping essay. The experience also deepened her empathy as a journalist, particularly when covering stories of personal struggle. “It’s made me incredibly empathetic and emotional,” she noted, citing how her reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic reflected a heightened awareness of public health issues.

Professionally, O’Donnell’s diagnosis underscored the importance of vulnerability in a field that often demands stoicism. She once received advice from a female boss at NBC: “Don’t ever tell anyone you’re tired or you won’t get another opportunity.” Yet, her willingness to share her melanoma story defied this mindset, resonating with viewers and colleagues alike. CBS President George Cheeks praised her as “a vital part of the CBS News family,” highlighting her courage and integrity. Her openness inspired others to get screened, with several individuals thanking her after their own early detections. “That was the payoff in sharing my story,” O’Donnell said, reflecting on the impact of her advocacy.

Why Her Story Resonates

O’Donnell’s revelation about her deepest fear—failing her children—strikes a universal chord. As a public figure, her willingness to share such a personal struggle humanizes her, bridging the gap between her polished on-screen persona and the realities of life. Her story is not just about surviving cancer but about redefining priorities in the face of adversity. The melanoma diagnosis, caught early thanks to a routine checkup, underscores the critical role of preventive care, a message O’Donnell champions relentlessly. Her transition to a new role at CBS, coupled with her ongoing advocacy, demonstrates a commitment to living authentically, balancing ambition with well-being.

Social media has amplified the conversation, with hashtags like #NorahODonnell and #MelanomaAwareness gaining traction as fans share her story. Her journey resonates particularly with women, who face rising rates of melanoma, the leading cause of cancer death in young women. By linking her diagnosis to past behaviors like tanning, O’Donnell challenges cultural norms around beauty and health, urging a shift toward prevention. Her military family background and Irish heritage, with fair skin prone to skin cancer, add context to her story, making it both personal and relatable.

Conclusion

Norah O’Donnell’s battle with melanoma was a defining moment, revealing not just her resilience but her deepest fear: the thought of leaving her children behind. Her decision to step away from CBS Evening News temporarily to focus on her health, followed by her career pivot in 2025, reflects a profound shift in perspective. By sharing her story, O’Donnell has transformed a personal crisis into a public service, inspiring countless individuals to prioritize skin checks and sun protection. Her scar, both literal and metaphorical, is a testament to survival and the power of vulnerability. As she continues to shape journalism through 60 Minutes and beyond, O’Donnell’s legacy is one of courage, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to truth—both in the newsroom and in life. Her story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is strength in facing fear head-on, and hope in the actions we take to protect ourselves and those we love.