Survivor winner, Ethan Zohn winning cancer fight

[HMG] – For those who number themselves among the millions of fans of ‘Survivor,’ we have good news — Ethan Zohn, winner of the show’s Africa-centered third season is winning his battle with cancer.

In May last year Ethan, 35, began intense chemotherapy that reduced tumors caused by a rare form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma from the size of a mango to that of a pea. But in August the cancer returned. Exhausting stem-cell treatments then followed and the disease is now in remission.

“A few weeks ago we got his first clean CT scan,” says Ethan’s girlfriend, Jenna Morasca. “Now we can officially call him ‘in remission.’ We were so nervous because good news meant we could start our lives again.”

And while enduring his own battle Ethan also had to watch a long-time friend, Jenn Lyon, lose hers with breast cancer in January. But in April a nurse practitioner delivered the results of a CT scan that changed their whole lives.

“Both Ethan and I jumped up and hugged her!” Jenna tells People. “I can’t begin to explain the happiness and relief we felt.”

With Ethan’s cancer thus on the ropes the couple finally felt free enough to take a break at Disney World, Florida — their first vacation in over a year.

And Ethan’s not done with traveling yet — After Disney he’s due to start taping a new series called ‘Outside Today’ for a network in Portland. In June the pair will fly to South Africa and visit the charity Ethan formed with his ‘Survivor’ cash – ‘Grassroot Soccer.” And while they’re there they plan to watch the World Cup.

“Ethan says he is just excited to start living again and enjoying every moment,” Jenna says. “We wanted to come out of this stronger people with more appreciation for each other and the world — and that’s just what happened.”

Recent advances in treatment mean that 98% of the patients with a prognosis as strong as Ethan’s will live more than five years with no remission. And in those five years science could locate a cure. Fingers crossed, eh?…