Twenty months ago, Bill and Giuliana Rancic seemed to have it all. Successful careers in television and business. Bill was working alongside Donald Trump and some of the top names in real estate. Giuliana was interviewing A-list celebs on the red carpet.
But their lives were missing one key component: a baby. Both wanted to be parents more than anything else. As they embarked on their third series of IVF treatments, Giuliana's fertility specialist recommended that she undergo a mammogram as a precautionary measure. The mammogram that was to be a precautionary measure resulted in a positive diagnosis of early stages of breast cancer for Rancic.
She was devastated. "Rocked to the core" in her own words. Rancic underwent a double lumpectomy and radiation which were later followed by a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
Fast forward 18 months and Rancic is cancer-free. But it has hardly been a painless road to travel. There were some very dark days.
I recently had the tremendous opportunity to sit down with Bill and Giuliana Rancic to chat with them about their experience with and triumph over cancer and about the newest addition to their family, their son Duke.
The Rancics were at the Jersey shore to participate in Meridian Health's Paint The Town Pink event, a month long celebration that focuses on raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. The Rancics were the guest speakers at a Cancer Care event sponsored by Meridian Health at the
Algonquin Arts Theater in Manasquan.
The media lounge consisted of about 10 reporters and members of the general media. In round-robin style we went around the room and asked individual questions of the Rancics.
Q: How did you get through it, the battle with breast cancer?
GR: You get through it. You get your old life back. My life is better now. It's fuller. It's more meaningful. My diagnosis and fight has really grounded me.
Q: What is your advice for other men who are supporting women with breast cancer?
BR: Don't be emotional. Arm yourself with knowledge so that you can make decisions based on facts.
Q: What is one word you would use to describe each other and one word to describe Duke?
Describing Duke:
BR: Lifesaver
GR: Everything
Describing each other:
BR: Survivor
GR: Superman
Very powerful words.
Q: After you [Bill] did a show in Red Bank last year for Paint The Town Pink, what made you decide to do another event with PTTP this year?
BR: I was incredibly impressed by last year's event. The people were so welcoming and warm. I loved the cause.
I can't tell you how incredibly down-to-Earth this Hollywood power couple is. If it weren't for time constraints and planned events for later that evening, I think the Rancics would have sat their all evening chatting. They were so sincere in their answers, and they looked directly at the person who asked the question. And they had fun with each other.
Bill would occasionally joke about Giuliana's Italian heritage. And Giuliana would tease him about his quirks. It was reassuring to see how much they love each other.
Photo credit: Meridian Momtourage
Before the media event ended, my fellow
Meridian Momtourage bloggers (from left,
Carly,
Chrissy, and
Beth) and I snapped a picture with Bill and Giuliana Rancic.
After the media event ended, the party continued at Firefly, a hip restaurant in Manasquan, New Jersey.
There were cocktails, yummy finger foods, and a meet and greet with Bill and Giuliana.
I didn't miss my chance for another picture!
After the meet and greet, it was showtime! We headed over to the Algonquin Arts Theater where Bill and Giuliana shared their heartwarming and inspirational story. With some fun banter back and forth followed by tears, and ending with lots of belly laughs, this couple is the BOMB, I tell ya!
Lou Russo from 94.3 The Point came out to pose some questions from the audience to Bill and Giuliana Rancic. What a fun, informative, and definitely unforgettable evening.
I want to give thanks to Meridian Health and Meridian Momtourage for
making it all possible for me. They generously invited me to
participate in the media lounge and the meet and greet. Be sure to check out the
Meridian Momtourage Web site for timely articles on parenting, fashion, nutrition, and so much more.
Check out Bill and Giuliana on the reality TV shows Ready for Love on NBC and Giuliana and Bill on the Style Network. You won't be disappointed!
I learned the hard way, but you don't have to. For 5 tips to getting your teens and tweens to get organized and stay focused, be sure to check out my post on Meridian Momtourage. It's a lot easier than you think when you follow these 5 steps.
