US Democratic Rep. and civil rights activist, John Lewis, has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
On Sunday, it was announced by his office that Lewis, 79, was diagnosed after regular visits to the medical center.
“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,” said Lewis.
Stage 4 pancreatic cancer means the cancer has spread to other organs, typically the liver or the lungs. Cancer can’t be cured at this point, but there are still treatment options which Lewis intends on going for.
Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) has fought battles all through his lifetime, but he affirmed on Sunday that he had never faced a fight like this.
John Lewis being one of the original freedom riders has led more than 40 arrests. He has been involved in various sit-ins, multiple mobile protests- segregated buses across the interstate and got his skull broken during the 1965 bloody Sunday. He also coordinated the “The Mississippi Freedom Summer”, which was a campaign to register black voters.
According to Vox, Lewis will take the same aggressive approach with the treatment. Obama and many other people are keeping him in their prayers.
“If there’s one thing I love about Rep. John Lewis, it’s his incomparable will to fight. I know he’s got a lot more of that left in him. Praying for you, my friend.” Said Obama on twitter.
