ESPN’s Ed Werder uses Twitter to talk about family’s struggles with cancer

It’s easy to say that Twitter is filled with negativity and hate, but there are some good things if you know where to look. ESPN’s Ed Werder has been using Twitter to chronicle his family’s battle with cancer. We know Werder as the NFL insider who’s covered the Dallas Cowboys and other teams in the league for the Worldwide Leader. But you may not know about his daughter and son-in-law who have had so much to endure.

It began two and a half years ago with his daughter, Christie who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Werder used Twitter then to update her progress. Thankfully, she’s recovered to the point where she’s become a substitute teacher and authored a children’s book.

Now, Werder is using Twitter again to talk about Christie’s husband, Trey who’s undergoing chemotherapy for an aggressive cancer that was first diagnosed in his colon, but has spread to his liver and lungs.

Through it all, Werder has updated his over 132,000 followers on their progress:

In preparation for second-line chemo this week, Trey has buzz-cut his hair to prep for the challenges ahead. #BeatCancer

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 23, 2015

Sending positive thoughts to SNL Trey as he begins second-line chemo with 6-plus hour infusion. Hope he tolerates it well, and it works

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 25, 2015

Nothing is more important than good health. I've sat in hospitals, looking out window at those driving past, unaware of their good fortune

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 28, 2015

Why does he do it? Werder told the Dallas Morning News’ Barry Horn that he began doing tweeting when Christie was in the hospital:

“I started doing it sitting in a hospital room for a month,” Ed said. “Maybe it was therapeutic for me to do it. I don’t know. But people read it, and I felt an obligation to update.”

The Twitter outpouring for Christie from well-wishers was overwhelming. Inquiries about her health, from the biggest names in the game to anonymous fans, became part of Ed’s work routine as he traveled from NFL city to city.

And now he’s doing it again for Trey, hoping that he’ll pull through successfully. In addition to providing the latest updates on his family and the NFL on Twitter, he’s also been giving encouragement to those also dealing with cancer including fellow ESPN’er Shelley Smith:

You are stronger than It..RT..@ShelleyESPN: In chemo chair ready to fight! Happy to have the chance! #forbryanandstu http://t.co/tMIvUuzicn”

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 27, 2015

And through it all, Ed manages to keep things in perspective:

With Christie and Trey's medical crises, I've learned to always appreciate an ordinary day! #LoveYourLife #BeatCancer

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 19, 2015

We give our best to Ed Werder and especially to his daughter and son-in-law Trey. We hope that he beats cancer and fully recovers.

[Dallas News]