Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Thursday she has cancer and will have an outpatient procedure performed at the University of Alabama medical center in Birmingham. That will be soon followed by radiation treatments. The governor insisted that she will be able to continue to serve as governor and that the treatments will have a minimal effect on her schedule.
“Throughout my life, I am constantly reminded that I have so much for which to be thankful; God has been incredibly gracious to me,” Ivey said. “One of the highest honors you have given me is serving as your governor. Because I always shoot straight with you, I want to share a recent challenge that has been placed in front of me. Within the past few weeks, during a routine exam, my longtime family physician discovered a spot on my lung that was unusual. Additional tests confirmed that this was, indeed, a tiny, isolated malignancy.”
“The good news is I am one of the fortunate ones where this was discovered early, and it is very treatable,” Ivey said. “The better news is Alabama is home to some of the world’s leading physicians. My team of doctors have assured me this treatment has a very high rate of success and will have a minimal impact on my schedule.”
“Tomorrow morning, I will travel to UAB for an outpatient procedure, which will allow me to soon begin a series of specialized radiation treatments,” Ivey added. “None of this will prevent me from continuing to serve as your governor and doing the work you elected me to do. Naturally, I welcome your prayers and your support. Just as so many others who have been affected by cancer, I am confident of God’s plan and purpose for my life and feel extremely fortunate this was caught so early.”
“May God continue to bless each of you and the great state of Alabama,” Ivey concluded.
On Wednesday, Ivey spoke at a press conference for the state bicentennial cookbook: “Let’s Eat Y’All.” Ivey appeared in good spirits but left the event quickly and spoke to the press briefly.
