Oregon Treasurer Ben Westlund undergoing cancer treatment...again.
Carla Axtman
Oregon Treasurer Ben Westlund is receiving treatment for recurrence of cancer.
From their press release:
State Treasurer Ben Westlund receiving treatment for recurrence of cancer, is confident of recovery
The flare-up was detected early and Westlund remains at work while undergoing therapy
SALEM – Oregon Treasurer Ben Westlund is receiving treatment to combat a recurrence of cancer, he disclosed today in a letter to his staff at the Oregon State Treasury.
Westlund, 60, who previously had lung cancer, receives regular scans to quickly detect any return. He said he started treatment earlier this year, but remains on the job and expressed confidence the treatments will be successful.
“As part of my regularly scheduled exam, my doctor discovered that cancer has returned and I am working with several of Oregon’s finest doctors to undergo treatment to fight it,” he said. “Like thousands of Oregonians who live with cancer every day, I continue to work… and I continue to work hard to make Treasury better and to benefit the lives of all Oregonians.”
Westlund said the availability of electronic detection was important for an early diagnosis that makes it easier to target and combat a localized region. His personal situation illustrates the importance of ensuring quality health care is available to all Oregonians, he said.
The entire press release can be read here.
Best wishes to Treasurer Westlund for a speedy recovery.
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5:37 p.m.
Oct 22, '09
Oh man, that's tough. Here's to hoping that all continues to go well for the Treasurer. I did see him Saturday night at the Summit, and he was looking good and in great spirits.
5:41 p.m.
Oct 22, '09
Oh dear. Get well soon, Ben!
Oct 22, '09
My sentiments exactly!
I went to his birthday party, and he seemed well. We need him healthy and in his usual high spirits.
Get well soon, Ben!
Oct 22, '09
Best wishes for a quick recovery!
Oct 22, '09
I have enjoyed my interactions with his office. Seems to me that it rolls downhill, whether Ashcrofitan insolance or Westlundian helpfulness.
Oct 22, '09
Here is our best to our Treasurer and his medical team.
Oct 23, '09
I am fully agree with you that it is the compassionate thing to perform. Parents and teachers often tell students to stay out of trouble, get better grades and go to college to make their lives batter. You have nicely described your positive thinking. I liked that.
Oct 23, '09
I've known Ben for about 10-years now, and consider him a friend. I'll be praying for you and your family. Get better soon!
Oct 23, '09
Best wishes and a speedy recovery Treasurer Westlund! I am very sad to see this news, but I know that he will continue to be a fighter. He was one of the nicest pepole in the Legislature. I have one memory of him putting a phone call on hold to say hi to me, even though I had no importance and was part of the other party.
Oct 23, '09
How very, very sad. My sincere best wishes for recovery, Ben.
Oct 23, '09
I am praying for you Ben!
Oct 25, '09
I do wish him well.
Maybe the most frustrating aspect of our gov is the total inconsistency in applying any principle. I can go either way with this one, but either require employers to have validated data correlating drug test results with on the job performance, or also require objective physicals for important public offices. Which trumps? Individual privacy or the public's right to know the physical condition of the individuals that they are counting on? Decide which it is. As is, implementation is horribly hypocritical. I've really made the employment rounds in my life, and can tell you that below a certain salary, everyone is drug tested, and above a certain salary no one is drug tested. That's not defensible policy. Bottom line, legislators aren't required to meet the same standards of disclosure that the janitor that dusts the rostrum is. It is things like that that make it impossible for a rational individual to be proud of this country.
Maybe you've already forgotten how close we came to President Palin, simply because today you can lie like a whore about your health, during the campaign. Not saying Ben did, but I think it's fair to raise the point here.