Jordan Karlesson
Al Roker, who we almost never see without a smile, is having a tough time battling blood clots.
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The Today weather anchor checked in with the program on Monday morning, via Zoom, to say he left the hospital last week. He went last month to get treated for the blood clots and wound up staying there for four weeks.
Roker, who had gone to the hospital on a previous occasion for the same issue, told his colleagues that his health is improving.
“I’m a very fortunate person,” he told his colleagues on the show. “Every day, I feel a little bit better.”
His hospitalization due to the blood clots prevented him from hosting NBC’s coverage of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That marked the first time he didn’t do so since 1995.
This isn’t the first health issue for Roker, 68. He previously battled prostate cancer.
Roker publicly announced that diagnosis on Today two years ago. He said at the time that he planned to undergo surgery for the removal of his prostate the following week.
Additionally, Roker said he wanted to let the public know about his diagnosis to “spotlight the fact” that one in seven Black men, and one and nine men overall, will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Al Roker’s Tenure with Today, in a Nutshell
The Today weather presenter and journalist is one of the most recognizable TV personalities of all time. Known for providing spirited and often humorous updates on the program, he continues to be an essential contributor to the daily program.
Roker is still larger than life, even after his weight loss. Wednesday marks the 44-year anniversary of his joining Today — back when he had hair, even!
Besides that impressive stint, rarely matched in an ephemeral industry such as news/talk shows, he set a Guinness World Record on November 14. It wasn’t for his tenure with Today but rather because he reported on TV for a record 34 straight hours.
No doubt, those who regularly tune in to Today and/or are fans of Roker, in general, will hope he overcomes prostate cancer posthaste.
