Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, 60, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer and will be treated.
“I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer,” Raskin said in a statement. “I’m about to start an outpatient course of chemo-immunotherapy at Med Star Georgetown University Hospital and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. After four months of treatment, the prognosis for most people in my situation is excellent.”
The congressman, who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since early 2017 and was recently re-elected in November, plans to continue working during his treatment.
“I expect to be able to work during this time, but my doctors have advised me to limit unnecessary exposure in order to avoid COVID-19, the flu, and other viruses. Chemotherapy, in addition to destroying cancer cells, impairs natural antibodies and weakens the immune system “He took note. “I’ve been told it also causes hair loss and weight gain (though I’m still hoping for the kind that causes hair loss and weight gain),” he joked.
“With the help of my extraordinary staff, the love of Sarah and our daughters and sons-in-law (actual and to-be), family and friends, and the support of my beloved constituents and my colleagues in the House, I plan to get through this and, in the meantime, to keep making progress in Congress for American democracy,” Raskin said.
Raskin has previously battled cancer; he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2010, but he was able to be treated with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Raskin was the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s impeachment trial in 2021. Trump was eventually acquitted because the Senate vote, which occurred after Trump had already left office, fell short of the required threshold for conviction.
