• The 96.1 NOW host, Russell Rush, went public with his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis Friday afternoon with his co-host Raven at his side. After 14 years on the San Antonio airwaves, Russell Rush said he considers his listeners "friends" and felt they should know the reason behind his break. Photo: Facebook Screengrab
    The 96.1 NOW host, Russell Rush, went public with his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis Friday afternoon with his co-host Raven at his side. After 14 years on the San Antonio airwaves, Russell Rush said he considers his listeners "friends" and felt they should know the reason behind his break. less
    The 96.1 NOW host, Russell Rush, went public with his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis Friday afternoon with his co-host Raven at his side. After 14 years on the San Antonio airwaves, Russell Rush said he considers ... more
    Photo: Facebook Screengrab
Photo: Facebook Screengrab
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The 96.1 NOW host, Russell Rush, went public with his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis Friday afternoon with his co-host Raven at his side. After 14 years on the San Antonio airwaves, Russell Rush said he considers his listeners "friends" and felt they should know the reason behind his break. less
The 96.1 NOW host, Russell Rush, went public with his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis Friday afternoon with his co-host Raven at his side. After 14 years on the San Antonio airwaves, Russell Rush said he considers ... more
Photo: Facebook Screengrab

Longtime local radio voice Russell Rush will step away from the mic for a few weeks after announcing on air that he is battling a rare form of cancer.

The 96.1 NOW host went public with his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis Friday afternoon with his co-host Raven at his side. After 14 years on the San Antonio airwaves, Russell Rush said he considers his listeners "friends" and felt they should know the reason behind his break.

He shared that he would be undergoing radiation therapy, so his fans may notice a change in his physical appearance as the weeks go on. He also gave advice for anyone who may be facing their own adversity.

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"It's OK to not be OK," he said.

In the meantime, iHeartRadio's EJ, based in Los Angeles, will fill in for Russell Rush. He expects to be out for only a few weeks, "god willing."

Russell Rush said he appreciates the "good vibes and prayers."

"That's exactly what we need right now," he added.

Listeners can send a message to Russell Rush via the 96.1 NOW website.

Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye