Former Candor resident fighting breast cancer surprised on national TV

Former Candor, N.Y. resident Jo Ann Jantz Tolbert thought she was going to a doctor appointment in New York City on Oct. 20 and instead ended up at the “Today” show plaza located at Rockefeller Center, a popular stop for visitors who gather for the program’s outside events.

On this particular day, and as part of breast cancer awareness month and the #PinkPowerToday series, hosts Hoda Kotb and Matt Lauer had a special surprise for one particular fan.     

That fan ended up being Tolbert, who is fighting Stage 4 breast cancer.

The center of attention amongst other “Today” fans waving “Wonder Woman” signs, Tolbert was joined by family and friends on the plaza. Tolbert learned that her husband, Jim, had a hand in the surprise along with sister, Veronica Williamson and friend, Jessica Fong, who had entered her name for the “Today” show series.

The “Today” show producers helped “pay it forward to a real wonder woman,” and arranged for Tolbert to meet one of her favorite actresses and television stars, announced by Kotb to Tolbert and the crowd. “Wonder Woman” Lynda Carter, who starred in the popular 1970’s television series, was introduced and walked toward Tolbert on the plaza.

After a brief, emotional hug, Carter then presented Tolbert with a signed painting of herself dressed as the “Wonder Woman” character.

The occasion turned out to be just what the doctor ordered and Tolbert shared, “I am so blessed to have such good family and friends.”  

Tolbert, who grew up in Candor and graduated from Candor Central School in 1993, lives in Barneveld, N.Y. with her husband and children. She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, in 2015.

Tolbert’s initial treatment plan included four rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and reconstruction. A seroma developed, which resulted in surgery and implant removal.  Then considered cancer-free with nothing found in the lymph nodes and only microscopic findings in the sentinel node, radiation was not needed.  

However in November 2015, an MRI and ultrasound looked suspicious. Tolbert was told that it was a result of the seroma and failed reconstruction. A mammogram in early 2016 proved okay, but then in May Tolbert was bothered by a pain in her armpit, where an ultrasound and biopsy confirmed cancer.

Tolbert explained that a PET/CT scan found tumors in her liver and cancer in her upper left lung, although no distinct tumors were found there. Additionally, a fourth rib bone on her left side was destroyed by a pocket of fluid.  

Tolbert has since completed six rounds of the drug doxorubicin, and had an ultrasound of her liver during the week of Oct. 17. As of this writing, Tolbert is awaiting those results, and will soon be going to Memorial Sloan Kettering to see if she qualifies for a clinical trial.

Tolbert explained, “It’s treatable, but not curable. Eventually I will run out of treatment options just like every other man and woman living with Stage 4 breast cancer.”        

Tolbert, who has been a “Wonder Woman” fan since her time growing up in Candor, has maintained a remarkable spirit while undergoing treatments. In fact, she wore a Wonder Woman cape after her mastectomy.  

When asked to comment about breast cancer awareness, Tolbert shared, “Early detection is important, but late stage cancer needs attention, too. There is no cure for Stage 4 breast cancer. We are literally dying for a cure.”

A link to Tolbert’s surprise can be found at www.today.com/video/tearful-cancer-fighting-mom-gets-big-plaza-surprise-her-family-and-hero-lynda-carter-789924419912.