Heather Pick
Encyclopedia
Heather Pick was an American
television news anchor as well as an activist on behalf of breast cancer
awareness and juvenile diabetes. She began her career in newscasting at WREX-TV
in Rockford, Illinois
before moving in 2002 to Columbus, Ohio
where she was the morning and noon news anchor for WBNS-TV
.
as one of seven children in her family. Her father worked for a lumber company, her mother as a homemaker. She was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. She became a news anchor at WREX after an internship there, staying for almost 10 years in Rockford
.
, who was also employed by the station.
After moving to Ohio
, she worked closely with Jack Hanna
of the Columbus Zoo
, even appearing on an episode of Late Show with David Letterman
as Hanna's assistant. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
is dedicating a bench near the park entrance in her honor.
Pick worked alongside actress Mary Tyler Moore
in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
. In 2007, Pick recorded an album titled "Circle of Support". A collection of original and cover songs all sung by Pick, the CD was released through by the organization A Christmas to Cure Cancer.
on November 7, 2008 at home in Columbus, Ohio
.
She continued working for WBNS during much of her illness and appeared on air for the last time in early October 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television news anchor as well as an activist on behalf of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
awareness and juvenile diabetes. She began her career in newscasting at WREX-TV
Wrex
Wrex may refer to:* Television station WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois* The character Urdnot Wrex from video game Mass Effect* The nightclub in Seattle mentioned in Music of Seattle...
in Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
before moving in 2002 to Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
where she was the morning and noon news anchor for WBNS-TV
WBNS-TV
WBNS-TV, channel 10, is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The station is an affiliate of the CBS Television Network and is owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group, a subsidiary of the Columbus Dispatch, along with WBNS radio...
.
Early life
Born in 1970, Pick was raised in Platteville, WisconsinPlatteville, Wisconsin
Platteville is the largest city in Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin. The population was 11,224 at the 2010 census, growing 12% since the 2000 Census. Much of this growth is likely due to the enrollment increase of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville...
as one of seven children in her family. Her father worked for a lumber company, her mother as a homemaker. She was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. She became a news anchor at WREX after an internship there, staying for almost 10 years in Rockford
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
.
Career
While at WREX, she met her husband Joe Cygan, a Chicago-area native and great-grandson of Chicago mayor DeWitt Clinton CregierDeWitt Clinton Cregier
DeWitt Clinton Cregier served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Democratic Party. Prior to this he was an engineer with the City of Chicago, and was awarded, in 1875, and in 1876, , both for fire hydrants. The latter was a combination drinking fountain, fire hydrant, and watering basin for...
, who was also employed by the station.
After moving to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, she worked closely with Jack Hanna
Jack Hanna
John Bushnell "Jack" Hanna is an American zookeeper who is the Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He was Director of the zoo from 1978 to 1993, and is viewed as largely responsible for elevating its quality and reputation. His media appearances have made him one of the most...
of the Columbus Zoo
Columbus Zoo
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located in Powell, Ohio , just north of Columbus. The land lies along the eastern banks of the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on the Scioto River, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Powell Road...
, even appearing on an episode of Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
as Hanna's assistant. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
is dedicating a bench near the park entrance in her honor.
Pick worked alongside actress Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore is an American actress, primarily known for her roles in television sitcoms. Moore is best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show , in which she starred as Mary Richards, a 30-something single woman who worked as a local news producer in Minneapolis, and for her earlier role as...
in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research. Driven by volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research...
. In 2007, Pick recorded an album titled "Circle of Support". A collection of original and cover songs all sung by Pick, the CD was released through by the organization A Christmas to Cure Cancer.
Death
Heather lost her battle with breast cancerBreast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
on November 7, 2008 at home in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
She continued working for WBNS during much of her illness and appeared on air for the last time in early October 2008.