Expand / Collapse search
☰
Dense Fog Advisory
from WED 3:18 AM EST until WED 9:00 AM EST, Clay County
4
Dense Fog Advisory
from TUE 8:22 PM CST until WED 8:00 AM CST, Randolph County, Cleburne County
Dense Fog Advisory
from WED 3:06 AM EST until WED 9:00 AM EST, Pike County, Towns County, Lamar County, Paulding County, Union County, Bartow County, Walton County, Catoosa County, Greene County, Heard County, Morgan County, Gilmer County, Madison County, Fannin County, Walker County, Floyd County, Lumpkin County, Cobb County, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Whitfield County, Carroll County, Putnam County, Newton County, Oglethorpe County, Banks County, Clarke County, Polk County, Forsyth County, Murray County, Gordon County, Pickens County, Jackson County, Meriwether County, Clayton County, Coweta County, Barrow County, Henry County, Dawson County, Chattooga County, Hall County, Upson County, White County, Douglas County, Rockdale County, South Fulton County, Haralson County, Troup County, Oconee County, Gwinnett County, Dade County, Jasper County, Cherokee County, Fayette County, Butts County, Spalding County
Dense Fog Advisory
from WED 3:12 AM EST until WED 10:00 AM EST, Habersham County, Elbert County, Hart County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Stephens County

Rep. John Lewis announces stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Updated  December 30, 2019 6:48am EST
News
FOX 5 Atlanta

ATLANTA - Congressman John Lewis will undergo treatment for stage IV pancreatic cancer, according to a statement from his office Sunday evening.

Rep. John Lewis diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer

The Georgia civil rights icon said he has never faced a fight quite like this one.

In the statement, Lewis said he will return to Washington and continue to serve his constituents.

"I have been in some kind of fight - for freedom, equality, basic human rights - for nearly my entire life. I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now," the 79-year-old civil rights icon wrote.

Lewis pledged to take on the disease with the help of medical advances – a determination that came as no surprise to his dear friend and fellow civil rights leader C.T. Vivian.

 “’We must cure [him],’ was my earlier response because John Lewis is too important, too good a person to lose just because of a disease,” said Vivian.

Their relationship spans over six decades, including pivotal sit-ins and marches during the civil rights movement. Vivian applauded Lewis' commitment to what was right then, undeterred by even violence, and what is right now.

“He is a precious person,” Vivian added.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms echoed those sentiments, calling Lewis a "national treasure and the embodiment of the spirit of Atlanta."

Support rang from even across the aisle. Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted, "John Lewis has always been a fighter and I know he will approach this challenge the same way: with passion, grit and determination."

His diagnosis came after a routine medical visit, according to Sunday's statement. Lewis said he may miss a few votes while undergoing treatment, which will begin in the next several weeks, but "with God's grace I will be back on the front lines soon."

 In July 2018, Lewis was hospitalized for an undisclosed reason, but was discharged after he underwent what his office described as "routine observation."

RELATED: Rep. John Lewis released from hospital

Rep. Lewis has represented Georgia's 5th Congressional District for more than 30 years.

In April, Mayor Bottoms unveiled a new art display honoring Lewis at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  

The full statement can be read below: 

NewsUs GaPolitics Ga Politics