Marney Gellner, the barrier-breaking Minnesota broadcaster employed by Bally Sports North, announced Tuesday morning that she has breast cancer.
“About three weeks ago I found out that I have breast cancer. It was just detected in my yearly mammogram. I did not find a lump,” said Gellner on the KFAN-FM 100.3 Power Trip Morning Show. “I had no idea, I just go in every year like we’re told to do.”
Gellner decided to go public with her diagnosis to help encourage others to get their yearly mammogram.
“I’m going to be fine. There’s good news in that it was caught very early. The cancer is not invasive,” she explained. “It is non-invasive. It is all contained, so I feel really, really lucky and really, really blessed that I will just have a lumpectomy in a couple of weeks.”
I took this photo on Feb 20, the day of my annual mammogram, thinking it would be a cute idea to promote breast health. But the lighting was bad so I deleted it.
Then 2 mammograms and 1 biopsy later, I received a diagnosis: breast cancer. pic.twitter.com/3mYKGscw2U— Marney Gellner (@MarneyGellner) March 21, 2023
Gellner, 49, has spent her career in Minnesota covering the Twins, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx as a jack of all trades sportscaster, serving as studio host, play-by-play announcer and sideline/field reporter.
Gellner made history in March 2019 when she became the first woman to do play-by-play for a Minnesota Twins broadcast, calling games for Fox Sports North and WCCO Radio three days in a row. She went viral with her spring training home run calls, using a catchphrase “better call mama” after Twins players hit home runs.
In December 2018 she became the second woman ever to serve as the lead television play-by-play announcer of an NBA game, doing so for a Timberwolves game.
Gellner, who has spent the last 20 years at Fox Sports North/Bally Sports North, has received an outpouring of support on social media after announcer her cancer diagnosis.
Sending my girl @MarneyGellner alll the love in the world! You're amazing and so brave… sharing your story will no doubt impact tons of people! Go kick cancer's ass!! You got this Marns! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Audra Martin (@Audra_Martin) March 21, 2023
Sending my dear friend @MarneyGellner love and prayers 🙏 today and everyday!!
You are one strong and brave woman who will absolutely kick cancers ass!
Appreciate you being brave enough to share your story with everyone…no doubt this will inspire many others too.
Love you Marns— Kevin Gorg (@Gorgamatic21) March 21, 2023
💖 @MarneyGellner you are a warrior. Thank you for sharing & you’re going to help other women with your story and strength. We’re all behind you. 🫶🏼
— Tracy Perlman (@Partray) March 21, 2023
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