BBC News anchor Maryam Moshiri has publicly disclosed her diagnosis of incurable blood cancer, Polycythaemia vera (PV). She revealed the diagnosis in an interview with The Times of London, explaining she received it two years ago. Despite the physically demanding treatment, Moshiri has continued to work, covering major events such as the Pope’s funeral and the Iran war.
Moshiri described working 14-hour days while battling chronic tiredness and fatigue. “I was working 14-hour days, constantly on air, constantly having to think on my feet, and holding it together, despite the fact that I had this chronic tiredness and fatigue,” she said. She explained that the adrenaline of live news helped her cope. Polycythaemia vera causes the overproduction of red blood cells, thickening the blood and increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Moshiri’s treatment includes twice-monthly venesections, where blood is removed, and she has also undergone immunotherapy. She described the venesections as exhausting and leaving her feeling “extremely unwell.” She traveled to Rome last year to cover the death of Pope Francis and subsequently experienced “horrendous” side effects from immunotherapy, eventually switching to a different medication. Moshiri, a mother of three, chose to go public to support Blood Cancer U.K.’s “Here for This” campaign, which highlights the time sufferers lose with loved ones due to treatment.
Moshiri expressed her determination to continue her work. “I love what I do. I love being where the story is,” she told The Times. “I don’t want to allow blood cancer to stop me from doing my work.” She stated that the cancer “is going to be there till the day I die,” but emphasized the importance of continuing with life despite the diagnosis.
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