Yahoo Lifestyle 'Guiding Light's Kim Zimmer Unveils Major Health Diagnosis
Kim Zimmer of ‘Guiding Light’ revealed a major health diagnosis during a recent cancer benefit event. Above, Zimmer attends a Q&A session at The Second City Hollywood Training Center on February 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Kim Zimmer surprised fans this week when she unveiled a major health diagnosis while participating in a Stand Up to Cancer event.
Zimmer, who played Reva Shayne for several years on the long-running CBS soap opera Guiding Light, revealed during a virtual Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up to Cancer - We All Have a Story event on Thurs., May 16 that she can now relate to her character in a new way.
Back in 2006, Zimmer’s character was diagnosed with breast cancer. Several years later, Zimmer, 69, has now shared that she too recently received a breast cancer diagnosis from her doctors.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 6,” Zimmer shared while fighting back tears. She credited her husband, three children and her “wonderful circle of friends” with helping her absorb the news and wage the health battle that followed. Without them, “I would’ve fallen apart,” she said.
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Zimmer went on to reveal that she had a mastectomy and is anticipating her final chemo infusion on Tues., May 21. She again credited her family, friends, doctors and plastic surgeon with supporting her over the last several months, and offered some wisdom for others who might find themselves dealing with their own cancer diagnoses at some point.
“That’s what I would say to anyone that may get a diagnosis like I got: It’s so important that you find a support system,” she said before also emphasizing the importance of early detection.
Tina Sloan, whose own Guiding Light character also had a breast cancer storyline in the early 1990s, participated in Thursday’s virtual event at the same time as Zimmer. Sloan appeared stunned by Zimmer’s news and praised her “so brave” former co-star as Zimmer shared some of the details of her diagnosis.
Zimmer assured those who tuned in for the virtual event that she anticipates sharing more about her cancer battle at some point in the future.
“I don’t know in what context yet, but it is a story I want to share,” she said.
