‘She’s tough’: Gov. Ron DeSantis gives update on wife Casey’s breast cancer battle

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis said his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, is doing well since being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this month.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the announcement of his wife’s diagnosis, the governor said Florida’s first lady was doing well.

“It’s not an easy thing when this happens, because it’s just your life is going then all of a sudden, this is something that puts that in the balance,” DeSantis said.

When speaking of his children and the effect his wife’s diagnosis is having on them, DeSantis recalled his own mother’s battle with breast cancer.

Casey DeSantis: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says his wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer

“I don’t remember any of the details about what it was even I was just too young to appreciate it at the time. So our kids really have no concept of what’s going on. And you know, in some respects that’s something that’ll hopefully not provide any type of a load on them,” he said.

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The Governor said his wife’s outlook has been positive and that he admires her fighting spirit.

“She fights, she’s tough. And again, you know, just shows you the type of person she is.”

READ: Florida’s First Lady battles breast cancer at 41; doctors talk about risk factors in younger women

During her time as first lady of Florida, Casey DeSantis has launched four major initiatives, one of which is the Resiliency Florida initiative, a partnership with professional sports teams and athletes, including Tom Brady, David Beckham and Peyton Manning, to address the stigma surrounding mental health. These teams and athletes are lending their voices and personal stories of resilience and hope to empower Florida students to persevere through adversity.

The DeSantis family has three children — two daughters, 4-year-old Madison and 18-month-old Mamie; and a son, 3-year-old Mason.

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