Atlanta Radio: Scott Slade Reveals Cancer Battle

Scott Slade, the former morning host of 95.5 WSB in Atlanta has revealed that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. Slade shared this news during a special segment on Atlanta’s Morning News, the show he hosted for 32 years before stepping down in early 2023. 

He disclosed that he had been receiving treatment for the condition since November 2024, following its discovery through routine blood work during an annual physical.

Slade, a well-known figure in Atlanta radio, explained that he had noticed signs of fatigue over several months in early 2024, including a loss of interest in activities like hiking, which prompted further medical evaluation. 

His primary care physician detected abnormalities in his blood, leading to a referral to a hematologist-oncologist at the Northside Cancer Institute, where the diagnosis was confirmed. Multiple myeloma, which accounts for about 1-2% of all cancers and has an average lifetime risk of less than 1%, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. While the disease is not curable, Slade emphasized that it is treatable, stating, “I’m very optimistic about my prognosis.”

Since his diagnosis, Slade has undergone four months of chemo-immunotherapy, a treatment designed to boost his immune system to combat the cancer cells in his bone marrow. The next phase of his treatment involves an autologous stem cell bone marrow transplant, where his own healthy stem cells—collected and stored—will replace marrow damaged by high-dose chemotherapy. Following this procedure, he will need to take precautions to avoid infections due to a temporarily weakened immune system.

Slade, who turned 70 in 2024, is a decorated broadcaster, having been inducted into both the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2023. His diagnosis adds a personal chapter to a career marked by professionalism and resilience, and his optimistic outlook has resonated with those who have followed his decades-long tenure at WSB.