Edwina Bartholomew has revealed she is determined to complete her luxurious country pub renovation project in regional NSW, despite her shock cancer diagnosis.
The veteran presenter, 41, who tearfully shared live on-air on Sunrise on Friday that she has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, revealed her project in Carcoar is going ahead.
‘We are forging ahead with this incredible project despite this health setback,’ Edwina told realestate.com.au.
‘I adore being in the country. It will be lovely to have a bit more time with family to enjoy life at a slower pace.’
Earlier this year, Edwina finally received approval to move ahead with her dream to convert a dilapidated country pub 251km from Sydney into a luxury getaway.
The popular Sunrise presenter bought the 177-year-old property in Carcoar, NSW in May, 2023, but the project has suffered extensive delays in the heritage protected town.
She added that working on the home would help keep her busy and take her mind off of her chilling cancer diagnosis.
‘This is a condition I will manage and live with. Our renovation has been a beautiful distraction and will continue to be in the months to come,’ Edwina continued.
Edwina Bartholomew (pictured) has revealed she is determined to complete her luxurious country pub renovation project in regional NSW, despite her shock cancer diagnosis
Development applications reveal the old pub, re-named by the couple as Saltash Farm, will consist of three new guest cabins, a house and main guesthouse, as she converts it into a stunning getaway retreat.
On Friday morning, Edwina revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in a tearful on-air admission.
‘I have been diagnosed with cancer. That’s a shock and hard to say,’ she told Sunrise viewers, her voice breaking with emotion.
‘It is a really good kind. It is called chronic myeloid leukaemia. It can be treated with a daily tablet. If I can take care of myself, I will be completely fine.’
The veteran presenter, 41, who tearfully shared live on-air on Sunrise on Friday that she has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, revealed her renovation project in Carcoar is going ahead. Pictured.
‘We are forging ahead with this incredible project despite this health setback,’ Edwina said
The veteran TV star then began to weep before telling the audience: ‘I thought I could keep it together.’
Edwina went on to reveal her co-star Natalie Barr was actually to thank for her getting diagnosed as quickly as she had been – Her colleague had her own cancer scare in June, after a routine skin check uncovered skin cancer on her nose.
Concerned about her own health, Edwina visited her doctor for a mammogram, blood tests and a skin check – before discovering the harrowing news.
‘I had a mammogram after I had a few lumps. That came back all clear. I even had an eye check. That’s fine. But my doctor sent me to get routine blood tests at the same time,’ Edwina continued.
Earlier this year, Edwina finally received approval to move ahead with her dream to convert a dilapidated country pub 251kms from Sydney into a luxury getaway
Edwina said the other reason she wished to share her sad news was because she wanted to encourage others to prioritise their health as well.
‘Please, particularly for mums who always take care of everyone else, please take care of yourself too. And just check in with your doctor,’ she said.
After thanking her bosses at Sunrise, Edwina revealed to viewers she will be ‘taking time off in September’ before cutting down on her work at Sunrise.
The former Dancing With The Stars co-host said she will knock her work responsibilities down to just a few days a week at Sunrise when she returns.
‘Despite appearances, I feel really positive about it. It genuinely is the luckiest unlucky thing to ever happen to me,’ she assured viewers.
‘I’m just beyond grateful I found it, and beyond grateful it’s the best-case scenario.’
An empathetic Natalie held Edwina’s hand during her announcement.
‘First of all, we’re really sorry you’ve had to go through this, but as you say, the treatment is kind of a good one. Explain it to us,’ Natalie said.
The popular Sunrise presenter bought the 177-year-old property in Carcoar, NSW in May, 2023, but the project has suffered extensive delays in the heritage protected town
Edwina pulled herself back together and explained: ‘We’re so lucky. Literally I can take a daily tablet. My life expectancy doesn’t change.
‘I just do need to take care of myself and rest. We are unbelievably lucky to have access to that in this country, and that that’s the kind [of cancer] I have.
‘Also, I’ve reacted really well to the medication so far which is fantastic. I have no side effects.
‘I also had no symptoms, which is why I wanted to give that health warning at all. I didn’t have anything.’
Edwina went on to say chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) often doesn’t present symptoms, but can become very serious if left untreated.
Edwina got her start at Sunrise when she won an internship in the mid 2000s, where she progressed from making coffees to producing the show.
For a time, she worked as a reporter at 2GB and covered the Beijing Olympics for Seven before landing a job as a reporter at Seven News.
She then made her way back to Sunrise as a Sydney correspondent in 2011 and replaced Grant Denyer as weather presenter in 2013.
Three years later, Edwina traded in her role as weather presenter and stepped into the entertainment presenter seat, also becoming a primary fill-in for news.
She then continued to work her way up the ranks, replacing Natalie as news presenter in 2021 when she took over Samantha Armytage’s co-host seat.
In March this year, Edwina replaced Jodie Speers as presenter on Sunrise Early News, which was previously known as Seven Early News.
The longtime Seven star shares children Molly, four, and Thomas, two, with her husband of six years Neil Varcoe.
On Friday morning, Edwina revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in a tearful on-air admission and that she will be taking some time off to spend with her family before returning to Sunrise to work only two days a week. Pictured with husband Neil Varcoe and son Thomas
