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Katie Couric shared a throwback photo on Instagram of late husband Jay Monahan
In her caption Couric encouraged people to "appreciate every day and cherish those you love"
Couric's late husband died on Jan. 24, 1998 from colon cancer
Katie Couricis sharing a special reminder for people to be grateful for each day and appreciate their loved ones.
On Friday, Dec. 5., the legendary journalist and entrepreneur, 68, shared athrowback photoon Instagram of her and her late husband, Jay Monahan, on their wedding day in 1989.
"This photo popped up on my phone this morning. It's my wedding day to Jay—June 10, 1989," she began her caption. "We had no idea that day he would be diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer just 8 years later. It made me think that we never really know what lies ahead and it was a reminder to appreciate every day and cherish those you love."
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Monahan tragically died from colon cancer on Jan. 24, 1998 at 42 years old, leaving Couric a single mom to daughters Carrie and Ellie, now 29 and 24, respectively.
The loss was agonizing, but time and the support of her loved ones has helped Couric heal. "I understand the fragility of life in a way that will always be with me," she told PEOPLE in 2021.
Couric later found love again with John Molner, whom shewed in 2014.
In Instagram caption, Couric added, "When I showed Molner the photo he said, 'Oh…that's so nice.' He never feels threatened by Jay's memory and understands a heart has space for two people."
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"Anyway, just a reminder to be grateful today. Tell the people who matter to you that you love them. Maybe even call your mother if you can. I'm Katie Couric and I approve this message," she continued.
Since her husband's death, Couric has never stopped advocating for people with cancer. Following Monahan's death, her sister, Emily, died of pancreatic cancer two years later. Couric received her ownbreast cancer diagnosisin 2022.
Earlier this year, Couric opened up about her commitment to raising awareness and funds for colon cancer research for more than two decades.
Katie Couric/Instagram
"It's very worrisome to see the number of people under the age of 50 who are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer increase," she told PEOPLE. "I'm really trying to spread the word that the age for screening has been reduced to 45. Unfortunately, only 20% of people between the ages of 45 and 49 have gotten screened. So there's a lot of wood to chop in that area."
Couric also said that after so many years of raising awareness, she still gets excited about finding new ways to shed light on the issue. "I tookJimmy Kimmeltoget a colonoscopy. I've been trying to see ifKevin Hart, who just turned 45, will be my next victim… I mean patient," she quipped at the time.
"I never run out of ways to talk about colon cancer," she continued. "Sometimes I try to use humor, sometimes I try to use celebrities, and sometimes I really just talk directly to my audience about the importance of getting screened. Even if I'm giving a speech that has nothing to do about cancer, whether it's a few people or a big crowd, I always remind them about getting screened. Screening saves lives."
Read the original article onPeople
