Justice Anita Earls shares cancer diagnosis

DURHAM, NC (WWAY) — On Tuesday, Justice Anita Earls announced she underwent a successful surgery over the holidays after a recent breast cancer diagnosis.

Justice Earls released the following statement:

“Like so many families across our state, mine has been hit with a challenge we didn’t see coming: I was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year. But if there’s one thing my life has taught me, it’s how to find strength in the face of adversity. I am a mother and grandmother, a public servant, and a fighter. This diagnosis is another hurdle to overcome, but let me be clear: I’m staying in the race to keep my seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. I’ve never backed down from a tough fight, and I’ll always stand up for the rights of all North Carolinians. I’m grateful to my medical team for taking immediate action after early detection and for taking exceptional care of me throughout this process. I am glad to report that my treatment is expected to be straightforward and we anticipate a swift recovery. 1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This is a diagnosis that many women face while going about their daily lives. I’m looking forward to getting the care I need while continuing to serve on the Supreme Court. I will keep campaigning across the state and sharing with North Carolinians what’s at stake this election – our mission hasn’t changed, and our momentum hasn’t slowed. Since announcing my re-election over a year ago, we have visited every corner of this state talking about the importance of our Courts and the future of justice in North Carolina. I look forward to continuing that work for the next 11 months and winning in November.”

Justice Earls will undergo additional treatment in January with a positive prognosis from her medical team.

Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch released the following statement:

“Justice Anita Earls has always been a fighter. She’s a fighter for fairness, for justice, and for the people of North Carolina. And now, like so many
women across our state, including myself, she faces a personal fight with breast cancer. I have no doubt she will meet this challenge with the same grace and determination that she brings to everything she does. I know firsthand how disorienting and daunting a cancer diagnosis can be. When I was diagnosed in 2019, it came at a critical point in my campaign and while it didn’t stop me, it did force me to reflect deeply on why I was fighting. It reminded me that the work we do, and the people we do it for, matter more than anything. I have known Justice Earls for several years and I am certain that she, too, will emerge from this stronger than ever, and will continue to lead with the courage and clarity that has always defined her life’s work. Justice Earls is a force and I have no doubt she’s going to kick cancer while winning re-election to our Supreme Court. Fierce, capable women, have always faced down multiple challenges at once and come out stronger for it and Justice Earls exemplifies exactly that kind of resilience. I’m proud to support her re-election and look forward to continuing to fight alongside her to protect justice for all North Carolinians. Our state is better off because of Justice Earls, and her moral clarity, powerful voice, and unwavering strength on our highest court.”

Justice Allison Riggs shared the following statement:

“I’m so relieved that Justice Earls has gotten the medical care she needs to recover fully, and I will support her throughout this process. Justice Earls has been my friend and mentor for nearly 20 years, and I know there’s no one who is more committed to serving the people of North Carolina. She and I remain clear-eyed about the task in front of us to take back the courts for justice, and the next step in that is re-electing Justice Earls in 2026.”