FINAL FAREWELL Uche Ojeh BATTLED SILENTLY With AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER Leaving Behind HEARTBROKEN Sheinelle Jones And Their Three Children
SHEINELLE Jones’ husband Uche Ojeh’s secret health battle with a grueling form of brain cancer has been revealed, as the anchor’s husband lost his life at age 45.
The heartbreaking news comes after Sheinelle, 46, stepped away from the NBC morning show in December to focus on a “family health matter.”
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Sheinelle with her late husband, Uche Ojeh
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Sheinelle and Uche share three children togetherCredit: NBC
On Friday, May 23, Sheinelle’s Today family announced her husband’s d3ath and revealed his devastating battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Anchor Savannah Guthrie said as she fought back tears, “With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and Today co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma.
“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children.
“Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.”
The anchors revealed the private health battle Sheinelle’s husband of 17 years had been facing in recent months, and how the couple got through it with their strength and faith in God.
Savannah shared, “Sheinelle was so strong through all of this, as was Uche. Very, very strong.”
Dylan Dreyer added of how her positive personality helped her get through tough moments, “We all know Sheinelle, she’s always smiling. She’s just the bright light whenever she walks into the room.
“Even through this, she relied on her faith, she relied on her friends. I think back to Covid when they as a family were in South Carolina together.
“They had this special time in their life to just all be together because that was the most important thing to each and every one of them.”
Today’s Sheinelle Jones breaks silence on unexplained absence from show and reveals reason behind time off
Jenna Bush then talked about Sheinelle’s humor, and how she has found “grace in the grief,” which she said is “not easy.”
She explained how whenever they spoke with Sheinelle during this emotional time, they were left feeling “inspired.”
Craig Melvin then shared, “What has been remarkable also, is watching the way in which she has dealt with this. Dealing with a husband who is battling cancer and the three young children…
“Every time you would talk to her, she would still find a way to laugh about something.”
Al Roker explained how this experience brought them closer to Uche’s family and friends, as they were a constant support during his battle.
Savannah added, “Uche has so many friends, college friends, friends from their time in Philadelphia, friends who have surrounded the family during this time.
“Sheinelle was a warrior and Uche is a warrior. They have been incredible. She has risen to the occasion and then some.”
Carson Daly then talked about their three children Kayin, who was born in 2009, and their twins Uche and Clara, who were born in 2012.
He started off by sharing his own experience with d3ath, as he was five years old when his father d!ed of cancer.
“I think back 45 years later, my faith in God,” Carson said. “God has blessed me in my life. Here I am, the young kid, I say eventually God gave me two incredible fathers… figures in my life. My life has been so fulfilling… I pray for their family and the kids have that fortune as well.”
They then discussed how Uche would want people to know how much faith helped him during the difficult battle.
“Uche had a deep, abiding faith every single day of this fight and you could see it in his eyes,” Savannah continued.
“He was an extraordinary person. We love him and we love you Sheinelle.”
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The anchors of Today shared Uche’s final monthsCredit: NBC
BREAKING HER SILENCE
Soon after the Today anchors shared the news, Sheinelle turned to social media to thank them and her followers.
She posted a video of the Today segment with the caption, “Thank you, for all of your love and support.”
Loved ones responded with their condolences, as the Today Instagram page commented, “We love you Sheinelle,”
Sherri Shepherd wrote, “Sheinelle sending you love & prayers.”
NBC’s Jummy Olabanji commented, “My sister, love you and praying for strength and comfort. We’re all here for you.”
LOVE STORY
They met at Northwestern University when 18-year-old freshman Sheinelle offered to show the then-high school senior around the campus.
Eight years later, Uche proposed at the university where they met.
The pair tied the knot in September 2007 in Sheinelle’s hometown of Philadelphia.
The anchors highlighted loving moments in their relationship from welcoming their three children to Uche’s support as a husband and partner.
They noted how Uche was at the finish line of the New York City Marathon to cheer on his wife when she made it to the end.
She returned the support when Uche competed in a triathlon weeks later.
In February 2023, she wrote a loving tribute to her husband for his 43rd birthday.
“To think it all started right here at Northwestern 25 years ago,” she penned. “Then marriage a decade later.
“Then baby #1, then #2 & #3, moving to NYC, and 10,000 games, music and dance lessons later… We’re just getting started.”
What is glioblastoma?
Glioblastomas are grade 4 brain tumors and are sometimes called glioblastoma multiforme, according to UK’s National Health Service.
It is a type of glioma, one of the most common types of primary brain tumors – making up around a third.
The cancer begins in the brain and almost never spreads to other parts of the body. However, it’s complexity makes it difficult to treat.
It is also resistant to treatment, as the cells within the tumor are not all of the same type.
There are no known causes of glioblastoma, as is the case with most brain tumors, therefore, there is no clear way to prevent the disease.
The first line of treatment is surgery to try and cut the tumor out. However, because glioblastomas “diffuse,” meaning they invade healthy cells around them, it’s very difficult to remove the tumor without harming healthy parts of the brain.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be helpful to stop the tumor cells growing and spreading. But despite the high intensity of the treatment, the cancer usually recurs.
SHEINELLE’S BREAK FROM TV
Sheinelle announced her decision to step away from work in January.
Fans had been worried about her absence after noticing her disappearance from the series.
She told fans in January, “I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter.
“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not on the support of my Today show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”
She also delayed the release of her book Through Mom’s Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans from April to October of this year.
A source told People at the time that the “serious” health issue did not concern Sheinelle or her kids.
The U.S. Sun reported in February that Sheinelle plans to return to Today after her difficult struggle.
She will replace Hoda Kotb as Jenna Bush Hager’s co-host during the show’s fourth hour.
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Uche’s faith helped them during this difficult timeCredit: Instagram/sheinelle_o
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The couple met at Northeastern UniversityCredit: Instagram/sheinelle_o
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Sheinelle sparked concern with her absence from the showCredit: Getty
