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WSYR's Joe Galuski Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Absence From Air
October 23, 2014 at 6:18 AM (PT)
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IHEARTMEDIA News/Talk/Sports WSYR (NEWS RADIO 570)/SYRACUSE morning newsman JOE GALUSKI revealed his month-long absence from the radio TUESDAY morning. He's battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"Five weeks ago I was diagnosed with cancer," GALUSKI told listeners just after 7a (ET), TUESDAY morning on his show..
GALUSKI spoke with MARK WAINWRIGHT, who, along with GEORGE KILPATRICK, has been filling in for him. Speculation was that GALUSKI had a stroke or was in rehab, though listeners noted his voice had suffered a "noticeable change."
"I was listening to the wild theories about what was wrong with me based on how I sounded five weeks ago," he said. "I owed it to the loyal listeners to be honest."
This is the broadcaster's second battle with lymphoma. He dealt with a "smaller form" in 1992. He said the current cancer is more serious, but he's confident he will be able to "knock it out."
GALUSKI is being treated at ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL. He began chemotherapy a few weeks ago and will continue treatment for four or five months. GALUSKI has been on the air at WSYR for more than 25 years, having joined the station in 1988. His morning news show is one of the few remaining local programs on WSYR.
IHEARTRADIO VP/Market Manager RICK YACOBUSH said WSYR would welcome GALUSKI back to the airwaves when he's ready. "Our plan right now is for MARK WAINWRIGHT and GEORGE KILPATRICK to be alternating as morning hosts and keep the seat warm until JOE returns," he said.