It's been almost 20 years since Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with cancer. In early 2006, Crow revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Crow underwent treatment, and was later declared cancer-free.
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In the two decades since then, the mother of two has been intentional about supporting others who face the same scary illness. She was recently in Nashville for the annual Stand Up to Cancer televised fundraising special. The show will air on Friday, Aug. 15.
"I'm celebrating 20 years this coming April of being cancer-free," Crow tells People. "So to me, it's about showing up for the people that I know right now who are battling. But also, celebrating the fact that I was caught early."
The Stand Up To Cancer event also includes Jelly Roll, Dan + Shay, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton and more. The show will air on all four major networks on August 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET. It will also stream online. Find more information at StandUpToCancer.org.
Why Sheryl Crow Is Grateful For Her Cancer Diagnosis
It might seem odd, but Crow is surprisingly grateful for her cancer diagnosis, at least now.
"I think having breast cancer saved my life," Crow says on the No Small Endeavor podcast. "Because I think I had perfected being the ultimate caretaker, of all people, of everything. The people pleaser of the world, and I was at the bottom of the list of people to take care of."
When Crow was diagnosed, she was ending her relationship with professional cyclist Lance Armstrong.
"I was engaged in a relationship that was super challenging, and slightly toxic," Crow recalls. "I was just really not in a good place, and I got diagnosed with breast cancer."
Crow goes on to say that she knew she "wasn't going to die," but it still got her attention.
It was while Crow was still receiving treatment when she had a moment of clarity, which changed everything for her.
"I realized, laying on the radiation table, that my lesson was to start putting myself first," she remembers. "[To] learn to say no."
Crow has spent more than 30 years as a successful artist. Her debut record, Tuesday Night Music Club, came out in 1993. Crow's latest album, Evolution, was released in 2024.
