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Jack Layton: “I Will Beat” Prostate Cancer
Jack Layton, with wife Olivia Chow in the background, speaking at a press conference at 2 p.m. today.
Jack Layton announced today that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and is currently undergoing treatment for the illness. He will be staying on as both an MP and as leader of the NDP. Layton seemed hopeful and optimistic in the short press conference he held at 2 p.m., with wife Olivia Chow at his side.
When the NDP sent out a press release before noon today, advising that Layton would be making an announcement about his “personal status and his immediate future as NDP leader,” the move led to a flurry of speculation over the next few hours: Layton was said to be doing everything from stepping down as NDP leader to running for mayor of Toronto—though as we’ve learned now, there proved to be little substance to either of those rumours. (We originally reported, after hearing from our sources, that Layton would be taking time off to deal with back problems; Layton had hurt his back this week, but acknowledged in his speech that that was “unrelated” to today’s announcement.)
The full text of Layton’s statement is after the jump.
Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming.
As some of you may know, I hurt my back last week. Everyone who leads an active lifestyle knows what it’s like to pull a muscle at the gym—it can be pretty painful.
My back is better now, but today I want to let you know about an unrelated health matter.
This year, more than 25,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer and I have recently learned that I’m one of them.
It’s the same kind of prostate cancer that my father was diagnosed with 17 years ago.
He, like the overwhelming majority of Canadian men with prostate cancer, fought it and won.
His treatments were successful, and I intend to tackle this with the same determination that he did.
Like my dad, I am a fighter. And I will beat this.
My treatment plan is now underway and everything is on track. In the coming weeks, the schedule of my treatment regime means I may have a bit more time to catch the Olympics.
The hard work and drive of our Canadian athletes will be an inspiration.
I want to assure my constituents and the Canadian public that this will in not impede my ability to serve as either the Member of Parliament for Toronto Danforth or as leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
I have an amazing team, great friends and a loving, supportive family.
And my wife Olivia knows a thing or two about taking on cancer, having been diagnosed with thyroid cancer just a few years ago.
She won her battle and so will I.
Recently, the Party marked the 7th anniversary of my becoming leader. Without question we have accomplished much. But we also recognize there is a lot more to do to build a more caring and greener Canada.
And I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves Monday morning and get back at it.
Thank you.