After rare cancer, former sports journalist is surviving fabulously in Napa and dating. Or trying

This is an opinion column.

National Cancer Survivors Day fell on Sunday, June 7, and while this tribute is a day late, the journey of my friend, Kelly E. Carter, is one that demands to be shared. Surviving one of the rarest forms of cancer and continuing to live a truly fabulous life is a testament to her resilience.

Many in the industry recognize Kelly E. Carter as a pioneering sports journalist. Standing at 6 feet tall, she broke barriers in the locker rooms, arenas, and stadiums of a male-dominated field. During our 40-year acquaintance, she moved from major sports coverage—including stints at USA Today and as a sideline reporter for CNN/SI—to authoring a New York Times bestseller with Venus Williams. Today, she navigates life in Napa Valley, where she owns Napa Valley Noir, curating luxury experiences across wine country and Italy.

The Diagnosis

During a recent five-day visit to Napa to celebrate my 70th birthday, Carter shared a revelation that stunned me: she had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma. This rare cancer strikes only 4.5 in every 1 million people. Carter, ever the wit, jokes: "So much for me being one in a million."

The discovery came during a routine exam in 2022 when her doctor spotted an issue on the roof of her mouth. What followed was a whirlwind of biopsies and a diagnosis that halted her fast-paced lifestyle. After undergoing surgery to remove part of her palate and jaw in April 2023, she completed 30 rounds of radiation. She documented the process with the precision of a reporter, recording medical instructions to ensure she fully understood her path forward.

Navigating Life as a Survivor

Today, Carter is back to hosting luxury experiences, though she manages the long-term effects of her treatment, specifically an obturator she wears to protect her palate. While she remains a command presence in any room, she admits the reality of survivorship—and specifically, dating—is more complicated. "I’m at the age where so many guys have lost their wives to cancer," she says. "It makes you very reluctant" to put yourself out there.

Despite the silence she sometimes encounters when bringing up the realities of dating post-cancer in support groups, Carter remains focused on the future. She advises fellow patients and survivors not to lead with their diagnosis but to let their story unfold naturally. Above all, her philosophy remains unshaken: "Don’t let it stop you from doing anything."

Looking Ahead

I have recently begun sharing my own story of prostate cancer on 205focus.com. I encourage readers to reach out with their own experiences. I have joined the board of the Mike Slive Prostate Cancer Foundation and support the American Cancer Society of Alabama. For those in underrepresented communities seeking support, you can join me at nowincluded.com/roy. You can follow my continued chronicles on 205focus.com here.