Philadelphia wakes up to "Good Day Philadelphia" minus one familiar face lately, but host Mike Jerrick has a good reason: he's been recovering from prostate cancer surgery. After a noticeable absence from the broadcast, Jerrick surfaced on-air Monday to discuss his health journey — in May, he was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently underwent surgery to address the condition, FOX29 reported.
The candid host, known for his spontaneous and occasionally controversial antics, quipped about his time away, "I wasn't suspended, I wasn't fired, I didn't get into trouble, I wasn't on a long vacation. I was getting this taken care of," a conversation that aired on his home station and was also captured by Axios.
Jerrick's battle with prostate cancer isn't unique in the media landscape of Philadelphia, having had the support and guidance from Steve Morrison, another Philadelphia personality who fought the same battle in 2015 shared by PhillyVoice. With treatment options for prostate cancer ranging from radiation to surgery, Philadelphia's own Mike Jerrick opted for the latter; according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for localized prostate disease treatment stands commendably at 99%, though it more somberly drops to 34% once the cancer has metastasized. Jerrick's decision reflects a common patient choice to eliminate the cancer swiftly rather than engaging in long-term radiation therapy.
As Jerrick mends, fans and coworkers alike have shown an outpouring of support, he expressed gratitude towards his network and co-host Alex for their backing throughout the ordeal, looking forward to his return to the show, with the same spirit that's made him a staple on Philadelphia screens for over a decade it's not surprising that "Good Day Philadelphia" viewers are eager to welcome him back, which, according to the recent updates, could happen within the next few weeks.
