By Matt Youngfrau
FORESTBURGH — June 27, 2003 – New York State Assemblyman Jake Gunther has been in Albany fighting for Sullivan County for the past 11 years.
Now the Democratic lawmaker from Forestburgh (the 98th Assembly District) is fighting for his life.
Last week, after being hospitalized in Albany for more than a week, Gunther was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors in Albany found a malignant germ-cell tumor in a lymph node just below his neck.
Gunther was given the news on his 50th birthday.
“Right now, both Aileen’s and Jake’s families are working together to support Jake in every way,” Gunther’s wife, Aileen, said in a prepared statement. “We appreciate everybody’s prayers and well wishes and thank everybody for their support.”
Gunther is still undergoing tests to determine the severity of the cancer and what treatment options are available. He has vowed to continue to do his job and plans to run again next year for Assembly.