ST. PAUL — Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic announced Tuesday, March 14, that she has been diagnosed with cancer and had a cancerous tumor removed Monday.
“Life is full of surprises, including unwelcome challenges,” the Minneapolis Democrat said in a statement released Tuesday evening.
Dziedzic said she had an “abnormal Pap smear” (for cervical cancer) in December and a series of tests in January that discovered the cancerous tumor. Her doctors decided Friday she should have surgery to have the tumor removed on Monday.
“The surgery was a success; and I am grateful to my doctors, nurses, and all the support staff at the University of Minnesota for the care I received,” her statement said, without specifying the type of cancer.
Dziedzic added that she was following her doctor’s advice and hoped to return to the Capitol soon. The fifth-term senator said she continues to work and lead the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Senate caucus remotely.
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Democrats have an ambitious legislative agenda and one-seat majority in the Senate, making the absence of any member consequential. The chamber adopted rules at the start of the session that allows members to vote remotely for several reasons.
Dziedzic encouraged others to keep up-to-date with their preventive care.
“Life can be rough. You never know when others are dealing with family or medical challenges,” she said. “Kindness and a smile go a long way.”
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