On Thursday May 16, 2024, Stand up to Cancer held a lifestream event called “Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer – We All Have a Story.” During the event, actress Kim Zimmer, who starred as Reva on the soap opera “Guiding Light” from 1983 – 2009, shared the sad news that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Zimmer explained, “I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November six.” She was clearly emotional while sharing the news. She added that she “would’ve fallen apart” if it weren’t for her family and friends including her husband A.C. Weary and her three children.

Zimmer continued by sharing the cancer treatments she has undergone since November. She has had a mastectomy as well as chemo infusions. She is scheduled for her last chemo infusion on May 21st. 

According to PEOPLE, Zimmer didn’t attend the livestream event because of her cancer diagnosis but because of her character’s cancer diagnosis. On “Guiding Light,” her character Reva was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

In addition to Zimmer, actress Tina Sloan also took part in the event. Sloan played Lillian Raines on “Guiding Light,” and her character was also diagnosed with cancer. In 1992, Lillian discovered a lump in her breast which led to a breast cancer diagnosis.

Following her own personal journey with breast cancer, Zimmer can now understand her character Reva even more. Reva tried to hide her cancer diagnosis, but Zimmer feels that it is essential not to hide the diagnosis but to share it with people who will support you. She explained, “It’s so important that you find a support system.” She added, “Find someone that you can speak honestly and truthfully to [who] will listen to you.”

Zimmer hasn’t let cancer get her down. Instead, she shared, “I’m a tough broad and I handled this the way anyone would expect me to.” She added, “I’m here to say early detection, early detection, early detection, early detection. Get your mammograms, get them soon.”

Throughout her career, Zimmer has received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations, all for her role as Reva on “Guiding Light,” and she won the award 4 of those times. According to IMDB, she has worked on 25 different projects throughout her acting career including the soap opera “One Life to Live.” Her most recent role was in 2023 on “Bleeding Love.”