ESPN fans are sending their love and support to longtime anchor Hannah Storm as she recovers from major surgery. The 64-year-old broadcaster, a familiar face on SportsCenter and ABC sports coverage, revealed this week that she recently underwent a hysterectomy and is now cancer-free.
Storm, who was expected to be part of ESPN's team at the New York City Marathon this Sunday, announced she'll be cheering from home instead. In a heartfelt post on social media, she explained that doctors advised her to take more time to recover.
"This year I will be cheering on my ESPN/ABC NYC Marathon family from my living room. I was hoping to be back in time for Sunday's race, but my doctors have advised me to take a little more time to recover from surgery. Most importantly, I'm very grateful to be cancer-free after undergoing a hysterectomy. Shout-out to Dr. Monica Prasad-Hayes and her awesome team at The Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center," she wrote.
Storm also took a moment to wish all the runners in the marathon well, especially those raising money for worthy causes, including her own Hannah Storm Foundation. "See y'all soon on SportsCenter!" she added.
This isn't the first time Storm has faced a cancer battle. In 2024, she shared her breast cancer diagnosis with the public. At the time, she reflected on her work with the V Foundation, which she said took on deeper meaning after losing her father to cancer. "Cancer truly touches everyone in some way. I am well aware of how extremely fortunate I am," she wrote then.
Fans have flooded social media with supportive messages. "All the best, Hannah! You are a legend in the field," one fan wrote on X. Another added, "Wishing you the best ❤️Get well soon and Go Irish ☘️." A third chimed in, "Take care of yourself and happy you’re cancer free. And Best Wishes to your ESPN Marathon team."
Even friends from the sports world have reached out. One former colleague shared, "All the best to you and family, Hannah… One of my fondest memories was working the marathon alongside you! Strength from here!"
Storm's resilience has been an inspiration to many, and her return to the anchor desk is eagerly awaited. As she recovers, fans are reminded of the importance of health and the support of a community. Her journey echoes the recent NFL fans' rally around Damien Woody after his colon surgery, showing how the sports world comes together in tough times.
While Storm rests, the marathon will go on, but her presence will be missed. The 2026 New York City Marathon kicks off Sunday morning, and Storm's foundation will still be represented by runners. For now, her focus is on healing, and her fans are right there with her, sending positive thoughts and wishing her a speedy recovery.
Storm's career has been marked by professionalism and warmth, and her openness about her health struggles has only deepened the respect fans have for her. As she takes this time to recover, the sports community stands behind her, proving that some stories are bigger than the game.
