U.S. Rep. John Lewis ( D-Georgia ), a noted civil-rights leader, has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Lewis, 79, plans to continue serving the 5th Congressional District during his treatment, according to WSB-TV. In a statement, he said, in part:
"While I am clear-eyed about the prognosis, doctors have told me that recent medical advances have made this type of cancer treatable in many cases, that treatment options are no longer as debilitating as they once were, and that I have a fighting chance.
"So I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done: I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community. We still have many bridges to cross."
Lewis was first elected to Congress in 1986.