OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former Trump press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is the odds-on favorite to become the state of Arkansas’ next governor, gave a major update on her health during an appearance Thursday evening.
In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Sanders said that she is now “cancer-free” following the removal of her thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes last month after being diagnosed with the disease, adding she’s “grateful” to be able to return to the campaign trail in the final weeks before the Nov. 8 election.
“I feel great. I’m incredibly blessed to have had this caught early by the grace of God and amazing doctors and nurses who gave me world-class care here in Arkansas. I’m now cancer-free,” the GOP gubernatorial nominee said. “I’m grateful to have that behind me, be back on the campaign trail, and I had some great moments of perspective on everything that really matters in life.”
Sanders went on to say that her father, former Arkansas GOP Gov. Mike Huckabee, has been a major source of hope, inspiration, and counsel for her throughout her campaign and treatment.
“He’s an incredible source of encouragement, a great resource throughout this process, and certainly so helpful in everything that I’m doing,” she said of her father. “I think no one will be happier for me to take the claim of best governor of Arkansas than he will.”
She said in a statement last month following her procedures in September: “During a check-up earlier this month, my doctor ordered a biopsy on an area of concern in my neck and the test revealed that I had thyroid cancer.
“Today, I underwent a successful surgery to remove my thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes and by the grace of God I am now cancer-free.
“I want to thank the Arkansas doctors and nurses for their world-class care, as well as my family and friends for their love, prayers, and support. I look forward to returning to the campaign trail soon. This experience has been a reminder that whatever battle you may be facing, don’t lose heart. As governor, I will never quit fighting for the people of our great state,” she added.
In a separate statement, Sanders’ physician, Dr. John R. Sims, M.D., the Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeon at CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock, noted:
“Sarah is currently recovering from surgery in which we removed her thyroid gland and some of the surrounding lymph nodes in her neck. The surgery went extremely well, and I expect her to be back on her feet even within the next 24 hours. This is a Stage I papillary thyroid carcinoma which is the most common type of thyroid cancer and has an excellent prognosis. While she will need adjuvant treatment with radioactive iodine, as well as continued long term follow up, I think it’s fair to say she’s now cancer free, and I don’t anticipate any of this slowing her down.”
There was never any question as to who former President Donald Trump would back in the race; he jumped in to endorse his former press secretary shortly after she declared her candidacy.
“Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a warrior who will always fight for the people of Arkansas and do what is right, not what is politically correct,” Trump said at the time. “Sarah will be a GREAT governor and she has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
She easily won her primary in May, after she “smashed the state record for fundraising during the primary, raking in $9.1 million dollars from more than 67,000 donors by July 2021,” the Daily Wire reported.
In January, Sanders described her record-breaking fundraising support as “a testament to the leader Arkansans want — one who will invest in our kids’ education while ensuring parental control, create higher-paying jobs, and keep our communities safe.”
“Clearly, this message of opportunity is resonating, and together we will make our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” she added.
