U.S. Senate candidate Zach Shrewsbury said today he has been diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
Despite the diagnosis, Shrewsbury made clear that he will not suspend his campaign or step back from his fight for the people of West Virginia.
“For nearly ten months, I’ve been living with severe leg and back pain,” Shrewsbury said.
“Doctors told me it was my sciatic nerve, and for months, I pushed through believing it was just another obstacle to work around. After more tests and long nights wondering why the pain never let up, we finally got an answer. The pain was caused by a cancerous tumor that had eaten away at my femur until it broke.”
Following his diagnosis, Shrewsbury underwent a temporary surgery to stabilize the bone and relieve pain, allowing him to regain stability and mobility. He will undergo a second surgery in approximately three months to restore full weight-bearing function and replace the damaged bone.
Shrewsbury has also begun a chemotherapy regimen that will take place approximately once a month into 2026.
So far, he reports no side effects that interfere with daily life or campaign duties. His doctors have given him an excellent prognosis for a full cure.
“The tumor was caught early. The prognosis is very good,” Shrewsbury said. “The road ahead will be hard, full of treatment, pain, and recovery, but I am bound and determined to beat this. I will beat this cancer.”
He also reaffirmed that his campaign and movement will continue without interruption.
“I am not dropping out of the race. The campaign continues. Bluejay Rising continues. Our mission and our fight for the people of West Virginia go on. Together, we will beat fascism and ensure that West Virginia has leaders who’ve lived the same struggles we have and who won’t forget where they came from or who they’re fighting for.”
Shrewsbury called on others to stay engaged in the fight for justice, democracy, and working people. “Even as I adjust how I show up, I want to remind everyone that we need you in this fight. Run for office. Serve your community. Stand up for what’s right. I don’t care what party you’re in – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – what matters is preserving this republic, not surrendering it to fear or fascism.”
“If I can face cancer head-on, then we can all face the challenges before us. I’ll fight through this like I’ve fought through everything else — with courage, with stubborn hope, and with faith in the people who make this country worth fighting for. No retreat. No surrender. Not from cancer. Not from tyranny. Not ever.”
