Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Mayor Will Rogers discloses liver cancer diagnosis at news conference in front of City Hall in Burbank September 20, 2017
Burbank Mayor, Will Rogers, reducing activities due to liver cancer diagnosis. Mayor Rogers, a city council member since 2015, made the disclosure yesterday in a rare news conference in front of the City Hall entrance on East Olive Avenue. The announcement did not come as a shock. Rumors, whispers, and innuendos about Rogers’ health have been circulating for months.
Rogers acknowledged publicly for the first time: “My cancer is at stage four… like every one of us here today… I don’t know today if I have another week or another five weeks.” Roger’s city council colleagues, Jess Talamantes, Vice Mayor, Emily Gabel-Luddy, Sharon Springer, and Bob Frutos stood behind the mayor as a show of support. Other city officials and employees were in the audiences including City Attorney, Amy Albano, City Clerk, Zizette Mullins, City Treasurer, Debbie Kukta, and Community Development Director, Patrick Prescott.
Rogers’ battle with cancer
This health situation has been an uphill battle for the mayor: “Over the last two years, I have been diagnosed four times and within a week later was then diagnosed cancer free. I’m also diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis but not hepatitis, which is normally associated with this type of cancer.” Rogers says he doesn’t want to make himself the “center of sympathy or concern,” because there are “many people so much worse off than me.”
In terms of treatment, a transplant is not a viable option nor is traditional chemotherapy. Rogers is reportedly taking part in drug trials and immuno-therapy.
Rogers to reduce mayoral duties
“It remains my intent to continue serving as mayor. I simply won’t be attending as many events as I typically do.” Rogers explained. Vice-Mayor Gabel-Luddy spoke for the rest of the council and said we “will continue to support him 150 percent.”
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Vice-Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy spoke at Mayor’s news conference at City Hall Burbank September 20, 2017
Rogers was selected to serve a one year term as mayor by his fellow council members. That term ends in May of 2018. His seat on the city council expires in April of 2019.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Mayor Will Rodgers gestures to well wishers after news conference at City Hall in Burbank September 20, 2017
