Bob Dole Announces Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Bob Dole, former Kansas senator and Republican presidential nominee in 1996, will soon undergo treatment for stage 4 lung cancer, according to a statement posted on Twitter.

“Recently, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer,” he said in the statement. “My first treatment will begin on Monday. While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own.”

Dole, 97, was a Kansas senator from 1969 to 1996, and was the GOP presidential nominee in 1996 with his vice-presidential nominee Jack Kemp. Dole also ran with GOP nominee Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. In addition, he was the Senate majority and minority leader during his time in politics.

Before entering the political realm, Dole served in the Army with distinction during World War II, when he was seriously injured in Italy. Once he left Senate in 1996, he became a product endorser and political celebrity.

Former President Bill Clinton awarded Dole with the Presidential Medal of freedom in 1997, and he also received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2018. These are the highest civilian awards in the U.S.

“We know that Senator Bob Dole will face this challenge as he has so many others, with his charismatic strength, optimism and clever wit,” according to a tweet from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which was started by Dole’s wife and focuses on military and veteran caregivers.

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