Aretha Franklin battling cancer

[lizann]

Aretha Franklin is currently battling cancer, it has been reported.

A relative of the singer told Fox 2 News in Detroit that Franklin has the disease and that her family is very concerned about her health.

They added that Franklin is doing "okay" and ask that fans keep the star in their prayers and thoughts.

It is thought that she has incurable pancreatic cancer, but her family have yet to confirm this.

Franklin underwent surgery last Thursday, although did not disclose then what she was suffering from.

[Chloe O'brien]

That is terrible news. she may only have a year to live.

[lizann]

She is a musical legend one of best female singers ever I hope she makes a recovery if she can

[Chloe O'brien]

Aretha Franklin battling cancer

QUEEN of soul ARETHA FRANKLIN is fighting cancer and has less than a year to live, it was reported yesterday.
The Respect singer, 68, is suffering incurable advanced pancreatic cancer, a US mag claimed.

Her family confirmed she had the disease but refused to give details or discuss her prognosis.

Family and friends are "very concerned" but said she is doing well.

Last month the Grammy-winning singer - whose hits include Say A Little Prayer - cancelled all her concerts until next year for "medical reasons".

Last week she had surgery.

The REV JESSE JACKSON visited her in hospital and said she was "recovering and her spirits are high".

He added: "She's doing very well."

Pancreatic cancer killed actor PATRICK SWAYZE last year aged 57.

[tammyy2j]

Aretha Franklin battling cancer

QUEEN of soul ARETHA FRANKLIN is fighting cancer and has less than a year to live, it was reported yesterday.
The Respect singer, 68, is suffering incurable advanced pancreatic cancer, a US mag claimed.

Her family confirmed she had the disease but refused to give details or discuss her prognosis.

Family and friends are "very concerned" but said she is doing well.

Last month the Grammy-winning singer - whose hits include Say A Little Prayer - cancelled all her concerts until next year for "medical reasons".

Last week she had surgery.

The REV JESSE JACKSON visited her in hospital and said she was "recovering and her spirits are high".

He added: "She's doing very well."

Pancreatic cancer killed actor PATRICK SWAYZE last year aged 57.

I will say a little prayer for her :angel:

[Perdita]

Aretha Franklin is to be discharged from hospital this weekend after treatment for pancreatic cancer.

The legendary singer has been told she is "doing better than doctors expected" and has vowed to start touring again next spring.

The 68-year-old star was reportedly told she had less than a year to live after being diagnosed with the disease, which has a survival rate of just five to 10 per cent.

But her cousin Brenda Corbett has dismissed the claims, telling the Detroit Free Press newspaper: "Aretha is doing better than doctors expected. She has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer."

The 'Respect'singer's sister-in-law Earline Franklin added: "Aretha is doing absolutely wonderful. All the prayers and well wishes have supported her, and she's doing well."

Last month, Aretha cancelled all her scheduled concerts until May for "medical reasons".

Until late October she had been recording and touring, but last week released a statement saying she had undergone "highly successful" surgery but didn't disclose it was for cancer until this week.

She is now said to be looking forward to getting back on the road.

Aretha was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1942 and grew up in Michigan where she started singing in her local church as a young girl.

The soul legend - whose hits include 'I Say A Little Prayer', 'Think'and 'Sisters Are Doin'It for Themselves'- has won 20 Grammy Awards and had 20 number one hits in the Billboard top 100 music chart.

[Chloe O'brien]

That is good news.

[Perdita]

Aretha Franklin proved her voice is still divine at 69 as she gave a brief but rousing performance at a birthday party in her honour.

Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, music mogul Clive Davis, Bette Midler and Gayle King were among the celebrities on hand to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul on Friday night at a late-night birthday party at a Central Park hotel in New York.

"It's a fabulous moment," said Franklin, showing off her noticeably thinner frame in a flowing white and gold gown as she sat at a table with several gifts.

Bennett, who called Franklin "one of a kind", was one of those who came with a present - and his was unique.

"I also paint, so she knows about that," he said. "A long time ago, she said, 'I'd love to have you do a painting of me,' and I remembered that, and when I heard I was coming here, I just knocked off a quick sketch and gave it to her tonight."

More than 100 friends and family gathered to celebrate Franklin, who just a few months ago underwent surgery for an ailment she has declined to disclose. In recent weeks, she has made more public appearances and is set to resume her stage performances in May.

At the party, Franklin seemed full of energy, greeting guests and dancing to the music.

Franklin was not billed as the evening's entertainment. Instead, she had other acclaimed musicians on hand to perform for her: jazz musician Roy Ayers, singer Nnenna Freelon, and Tito Puente all gave mini-concerts at the soiree.

But after former Temptations frontman Dennis Edwards serenaded her with a couple of songs, she joined him and they both sang The Way We Were.

Afterwards, Edwards and the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Franklin, and she cut her birthday cake.

PA


:cheer: