Former longtime WCCO sports Anchor Ralph Jon Fritz is battling cancer.

Fritz didn’t want friends and longtime viewers to learn about his fight second hand, so he took the direct approach of contacting as many friends as possible by way of an open email.

“This is without a doubt, the most difficult E-mail I have ever sent.” Fritz wrote. “Within the past week, I have been diagnosed with Stomach Cancer that is inoperable.”

While exuding a sense of confidence that he will continue living his life as normal as possible during his fight, Fritz goes on to express thanks and appreciation for what he’s been given and all the wonderful people in his life.

“That was the most human letter that I’ve ever read. Even facing the problems he’s facing he said he’s the luckiest man in the world to have friends and colleagues like he’s had in his life,” close friend and former colleague Don Shelby said. “If anybody, anybody in the world can beat this, it’s RJ.” said.

Fritz retired in 2005 after a 44-year broadcast career; most of it spent anchoring and covering sports at WCCO.

H/T WCCO