Ford family statement
Issued through Ford’s chief of staff, Dan Jacobs, the statement did not directly address rumors of Ford’s death but later Jacobs wrote on his Twitter page that it was in part to counteract the false rumors.
Ford has been in hospital off and on for months and had surgery last May to remove a tumor only to have two more large growths show up in October.
“With his family beside him Councillor Ford is currently in hospital as he continues his battle with cancer,” the statement reads. “The Ford family asks for privacy during this difficult time, and thank the people of Toronto and around the world for their ongoing prayers and support.
“Should there be any developments, a further release will follow.”
Ford: rare cancer
In 2014, while still mayor, Ford began to experience severe abdominal pain and in September of that year was diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue cancer called pleomorphic liposarcoma.
Ford underwent extensive chemotherapy to shrink the tumour and the operation in May removed the remainder of it. The tumors that have returned were described as being 5 and 7 centimeters in size.
Because of his illness he did not run for re-election in the last Toronto election, his brother Doug Ford running for mayor in his place. Rob instead ran for council in Etobicoke’s Ward 2 and easily won. Doug, who had been a city councilor in the previous administration, lost his bid for the mayor’s chair, finishing second to John Tory.
