Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Thursday that his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, has completed her final chemotherapy treatment and is “doing well” in her battle against breast cancer.
DeSantis shared the news during remarks on workforce development at a press conference at South Florida State College in Bowling Green.
“I just wanted to let everybody know the First Lady, yesterday, we completed the final chemotherapy treatment that she has to do,” the governor said to applause on Thursday morning.
BREAKING: @RonDeSantisFL announces wife Casey DeSantis has completed her final chemotherapy treatment and is "doing well"
Prayer works. God Bless the DeSantis family. pic.twitter.com/6YM6Vui1Tw
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 20, 2022
“It’s not the most fun thing to see someone to go through but at the end of the day she’s fought really hard. We think she’s responded very well. She’s still got more stuff to do, but that’s a big milestone because it’s nasty stuff when they’re doing that,” he continued.
“I just wanted to let everyone know she got through that, she ran that gauntlet, she’s doing well, and we look forward to continue to have good news over the ensuing weeks and months,” DeSantis added.
Florida’s first lady has continued to receive support and prayers from many since her breast cancer diagnosis was first announced on October 4.
Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez responded to the news on Twitter with encouraging words.
“Fantastic news that First Lady Casey DeSantis has completed her final round of chemotherapy!” he wrote.
“Her and Governor DeSantis have continued to lead our state by example, even in the face of personal difficulty. Lourdes and I will continue to pray for the DeSantis family,” he added.
Fantastic news that First Lady Casey DeSantis has completed her final round of chemotherapy!
Her and Governor DeSantis have continued to lead our state by example, even in the face of personal difficulty. Lourdes and I will continue to pray for the DeSantis family.
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) January 20, 2022
DeSantis was criticized last month by Democrats for allegedly taking “time off” during the same time he was with his wife at her cancer treatment. The Daily Wire reported:
While DeSantis’ public schedule has been light in the last couple weeks of the year, the Florida governor has not gone on vacation, staying busy in less publicized work such as staff meetings. On Wednesday, however, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings set off a torrent of criticism of DeSantis by suggesting that the governor had abandoned Florida to a recent variant of the coronavirus.
“Our residents, all Florida residents should be outraged, and they should ask the question, ‘Now, where’s our state? Where’s our governor?’” Demings said. “Where is Ron DeSantis now? When was the last time you saw the governor do a press briefing regarding COVID-19?”
That same day, DeSantis had taken his wife, Casey, to a cancer treatment session, a spokesman for DeSantis’ office told Fox News.
DeSantis first revealed his wife’s cancer diagnosis in October in a statement from his office:
“I am saddened to report that Florida’s esteemed First Lady and my beloved wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer,” Ron DeSantis said. “As the mother of three young children, Casey is the centerpiece of our family and has made an impact on the lives of countless Floridians through her initiatives as First Lady.”
“As she faces the most difficult test of her life, she will have not only have my unwavering support but the support of our entire family, as well as the prayers and well wishes from Floridians across our state,” the governor added. “Casey is a true fighter, and she will never, never, never give up.”