Some quotes: Hoda Kotb

Hoda Kotb (1964- ) is an American author, speaker, television news anchor and TV co-host with Kathie Lee Gifford of Today. Born in the US of Egyptian parents, her name is Arabic with Hoda meaning “guidance” and Kotb meaning “pole” as in North and South Pole. In March 2007, Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer. She has since become an advocate for breast cancer awareness. Kotb allowed Today cameras to follow her throughout her cancer battle. After she was announced cancer-free, her story was documented on the show.

**********

"People think that you have to do something huge, like go to Africa and build a school, but you can make a small change in a day. If you change Wednesday, then you change Thursday. Pretty soon it's a week, then a month, then a year. It's bite-size, as opposed to feeling like you have to turn your life inside out to make changes."

**********

"If you have a friend or family member with breast cancer, try not to look at her with 'sad eyes.' Treat her like you always did; just show a little extra love."

**********

"When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be swimming with the sharks, all men for themselves, be careful and all that. I have to tell you I learned that you can be kind and a hard worker and move up. You don't have to play dirty or do things that you think happens at big corporations." 

**********

"I'm an optimist, so I think everything can be worked out and fixed. But from having cancer I learned that even if you're even an optimist, sometimes you just have to face the facts that certain things are broken."

**********

"I'm a huge karaoke person even though I have the worst singing voice. When you love doing something, who cares?"

**********

"Life is a series of baby steps along the way and if you add up these tiny little steps you take toward your goal, whatever it is, whether it's giving up something, a terrible addiction or trying to work your way through an illness. When you total up those baby steps you'd be amazed over the course of 10 years, the strides you've taken."