WAFF reporter and Madison native Allen Stroud loses battle with cancer
MADISON – WAFF reporter Allen Stroud lost his battle with lung cancer Sunday afternoon. A Madison native, Stroud was only 31 years old. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year.
“Who would believe that a 30-year-old would be diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer? Certainly not me,” Allen told the WAFF audience on March 28, when he announced his diagnoses. “Rest assured, I’m very encouraged and prepared for this fight.”
Allen would periodically give updates to document his cancer fight in hopes of beating it and using his story to inspire others.
A 2006 graduate of Bob Jones High School, Allen was honored this fall by being added to the school’s Hall of Fame. His father once served as the principal of Bob Jones, something Allen was very proud of and talked about in some of his reporting.
Allen began his career at WAFF-48 in 2013 and entered broadcast journalism with the station in 2015. An award-winning journalist, Allen covered stories affecting North Alabama, industry, education, politics and Huntsville’s role in space exploration.
While at WAFF, Allen contributed to morning live shots, breaking news, “Friday Night Fever” and sports pieces. He launched “48 Flashback” and “Scenes of the Season.”
“The 48 Team loved Allen,” WAFF 48 General Manager Dave Thomason said. “He embraced hard work and loved to laugh with his co-workers. They loved him for being authentic and kind.”
Prior to his work with WAFF, Allen was also a contributing columnist for Madison Weekly News, writing about the city he grew up in and loved.
Allen said in an interview for The Madison Record in May that he had received a tremendous amount of support since his diagnoses. “I have always known that North Alabama is a very special place, but the kindness I have been shown is overwhelming,” he said. “The thousands of messages that have poured in online, letters to the station, cards, and personal stories of people who have had cancer, from those who are survivors sharing their stories — all of the churches who have made things and sent things. It has been overwhelming and very humbling. It takes my breath away every time. This is the most special place in the entire state. It’s been unbelievable.”
During his cancer fight, he hash tag #stroudstrong became a regular fixture on many social media posts wishing Allen the best and letting him know people across the state, and even the nation, are praying for him.
Besides the many friends Allen made throughout his life, he leaves behind his mom, dad and sister.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
