Mix 106.5's Maria Dennis Diagnosed With Leukemia; Has A Message For Listeners
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—You listen to her every morning on Mix 106.5, but she hasn't been on the air the past few days. Thursday morning, Maria Dennis made a major announcement.
Ron Matz reports it was one that came as a big shock to her colleagues and the thousands of fans who love her.
"I have been just diagnosed with leukemia," Dennis announced.
Dennis shocked her friends and fans with that announcement from her hospital bed Thursday morning.
"This is family. She's our sister. It even goes beyond that. She's our brother. You hear about spirit during illnesses. Her spirit is amazing. She's strong. She has some work to do. We'll see how it goes," said Jon Boesche, Mix 106.5.
"It's a mind blower. It really is a mind blower," Dennis said.
Dennis' diagnosis came after a routine colonoscopy.
"Last week, I went in because I needed to get a routine colonoscopy," she said. "My blood work came back all over the ballpark, and they didn't know why. So they did further tests. One thing led to another and they decided that I have ALL, which is leukemia. It was a shock to me."
Dennis is much more than a radio personality. She's a beloved member of the community, which responded with a big Baltimore hug.
"We're realizing this morning what an amazing community Baltimore is. It's 'Smaltimore,' as we know. The love that we're feeling and sharing with her is amazing," said Reagan Warfield, Mix 106.5.
Through Facebook and Twitter, fans sent an outpouring of love.
"We miss a part of our dynamic. It's hard to explain. We miss you. We wish you nothing but the best. The army of Maria fans and listeners and those who love you are out there, and we are strong just like you are, so we'll see you soon," Boesche said.
"Our listeners are with us every morning like a family and this is a family moment, and this is a moment that's serious but one that we're going to get through," Warfield said.
And Dennis promises to get through it too for her family.
"My main thing is I gotta be OK for my boys, period. They're 7 and 9. They need me, and that's it," she said.
"She's gonna fight it, she's gonna beat it, and she's got the best attitude possible," Warfield said. "Maria is our sister, our friend. She's so much more than a co-worker. We knew immediately she was going to fight this in the most amazing Maria type way. We're there for her."
Dennis expects to be hospitalized for at least three weeks. She promises to call into the Mix Morning Show from time to time.
Related Link: An Announcement From Maria Dennis
Listeners can send get-well wishes to Dennis through the station's Facebook page at Facebook.com/Mix1065mornings or through the mail at Maria Dennis, Mix 106.5, 1423 Clarkview Road, Baltimore, MD 21209.
Other Local News:
