BLUE EARTH, Minn — Minnesota Representative Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) announced Wednesday evening that he is being treated for stage four kidney cancer.
“Exactly two months after marrying my wife, Jennifer, and just six weeks into my job as the First District's Congressman, I was given unexpected and rather shocking news. Just like millions of other Americans, I was told by my doctor: you have cancer," says Hagedorn.
The congressman noted he has been receiving immunotherapy treatments and care from Rochester's Mayo Clinic since his diagnosis over a year ago, on Feb. 15, 2019.
According to Hagedorn's press release, the cancer was detected accidentally during a routine physical exam.
However, the congressman states his battle will not deter him from representing Minnesota's first congressional district, or his effort to run for re-election.
“I’ve been able to do my job, make hundreds of stops across the First District, hold 18 town hall meetings, and make 39 round trips to and from Washington, D.C. to perform my legislative duties. I am a candidate for re-election in 2020,” says Hagedorn. “Today, one year later, I am happy to say I feel great and continue to perform my job in Congress unimpeded."
The Congressman went on to state that he has not missed a single vote due to his illness. "I will keep fighting cancer and fighting for America and the people of southern Minnesota."
Hagedorn hopes his situation will help others realize that it is possible "in today's world of medical innovation" for a person with a serious illness to still lead a normal life.
Representative Hagedorn shared the following statement from an oncologist at Mayo Clinic:
“I am pleased to report that Mr. Hagedorn has responded well to immunotherapy, which has been key to his recovery. He is doing well.”
For more information, please visit Representative Hagedorn's congressional website.
