Sen. Allen to undergo cancer surgery

By Adrienne Lu

Inquirer Trenton Bureau

State Sen. Diane B. Allen has been diagnosed with an "aggressive cancer" and expects to undergo surgery as early as this week, her office announced yesterday.

The former Philadelphia TV news anchor was sidelined for much of last year by pneumonia.

Allen, 61, of Edgewater Park, expressed gratitude in a statement for the calls of concern and good wishes she has received from friends and constituents.

"My plan is to return to the floor of the Senate at the first opportunity," Allen said. "No illness will prevent me or my experienced and dedicated staff from providing the people of my district with full representation."

Allen said her office remains open to help constituents. She declined to release details about her illness and asked for privacy.

A socially moderate and fiscally conservative Republican, Allen represents the strongly Democratic Seventh District in Burlington and Camden Counties, and has championed issues such as health care and education.

Allen has served in the Legislature since 1996. She is the deputy minority leader and serves on the Senate's education and health, human services, and senior citizens committees.

Allen turned to politics after a 22-year career in TV news, during which she appeared on Channels 3 and 10, among others. She is also the president of a video-production company that she founded, VidComm.

"On behalf of the entire Senate, I would like to extend my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Sen. Allen at this time," Senate President Richard J. Codey (D., Essex) said in a statement yesterday. "Diane has been a fierce fighter for her constituents, so if there is anyone who can beat this health battle, it's her."

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said the thoughts and prayers of the Assembly Republicans were with Allen.

"For the past 11 years she's served in the Senate, Diane Allen has been a staunch advocate of health and child care, education, and housing and tax relief," DeCroce said. "She has won many a battle on those fronts, and we expect she will fight this disease with that same tenacity. We look forward to her return to the Senate, as I'm sure so many of her colleagues and constituents do."

Contact staff writer Adrienne Lu at 609-989-8990 or alu@phillynews.com

Comments

Posted 03:34 AM, 11/10/2009

FJG JR

I don't know why politicians insist on staying in office, when they should be embracing their family. Does power really overcome them this much? She doesn't need the money, that's for sure. I wish you well Dianne, but think about what I said. Go home.