View Full Forums : Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards diagnosed with cancer


Stormhaven
03-08-2006, 05:20 PM
Gov. Richards had to be one of my favorite politicians of all time, and it had nothing to do with politics. I remember growing up watching her on TV and just thinking that she'd be a really neat person to talk with.


http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/08/richards.cancer.ap/index.html

Former Texas Gov. Richards diagnosed with cancer
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Posted: 5:12 p.m. EST (22:12 GMT)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Former Gov. Ann Richards said Wednesday she has cancer of the esophagus and will undergo treatment at the world-renowned M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Richards, 72, went in for tests Monday and got the diagnosis Tuesday, said spokesman Bill Maddox.

Maddox said the former governor is waiting to hear from M.D. Anderson how advanced the cancer is and what her chances are.

"She's facing this challenge," Maddox said.

Richards, a Democrat, was governor from 1991 to 1995, losing a re-election bid to George W. Bush. Since 2001, she has been an adviser at a public relations and lobbying firm.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 13,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year, usually when the disease is at a late stage. The five-year survival rate is 16 percent for white patients and 9 percent for blacks, the organization said.

Maddox said he did not know if Richards had a specific problem that sent her to the doctor, or if the cancer was discovered during a routine visit.

Klath
03-08-2006, 05:28 PM
That's too bad. I always liked her too. She has a great sense of humor and she's always fun to watch in interviews or debates.

Panamah
03-08-2006, 05:31 PM
Yeah, I always thought Ann Richards would have been a fun person to know, and probably a dang good govenor. I wish more politicians were as plain spoken and forthright as she appears to be. I hope she beats it. She brings a lot of color to the world.

Klath
03-08-2006, 05:38 PM
She brings a lot of color to the world.
Even in Black & White:

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/modern/richards-p01.jpg

Panamah
03-08-2006, 05:43 PM
She got a stud in her tongue? It looks like it in that picture! :D

Remi
03-08-2006, 07:56 PM
Even being a republican, I always admired Ann Richards. When she was Governor of Texas, I thought she'd make a great first female candidate for President. I'm very sorry to hear this and hope that her treatment is successful.