Healthwatch: Diane Allen (Philly TV anchor turned NJ state senator)
Diner
N.J. state Sen. Diane Allen is diagnosed with aggressive form of
cancer
By Trish G. Graber
November 09, 2009, 7:16PM
BURLINGTON COUNTY -- Republican state Sen. Diane Allen said today she
has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
The longtime Burlington County senator and former newscaster said in a
statement she is exploring treatment options and expects to undergo
surgery as early as this week.
Allen, 61, did not release further details, but three sources close to
her said she was diagnosed in recent weeks with cancer of the mouth.
"My illness has shown me again just how much the good people of my
district and the state care about others," Allen said in the
statement. "It’s impossible to express how grateful I am for their
outpourings of caring, support and love."
Last year, a bout with pneumonia resulted in Allen’s extended absence
from Trenton. She said she is strategizing with her family and doctors
to beat this latest illness.
"My plan is to return to the floor of the Senate at the first
opportunity," said Allen, the married mother of two grown children.
Allen, of Edgewater Park, has served in the Legislature for more than
a decade. She was on Gov.-elect Chris Christie’s short list for
lieutenant governor prior to his selection of Monmouth County Sheriff
Kim Guadagno.
In 2002, she sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, losing
her bid to millionaire Douglas Forrester. Her name has been floated
numerous times since as a possible candidate for congress and for
governor.
Legislators in both parties wished her well today.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Allen and her family during
this challenging time," said Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-
Union). "I wish her a speedy and full recovery, and I look forward to
welcoming her back to the caucus."
Senate President Richard Codey said Allen has been a "fierce fighter"
for her constituents, adding if there is anyone who can beat this
health battle, she can.
"I know, firsthand, that one of the best medicines in this fight is to
have a healthy dose of support from family and friends," said Codey (D-
Essex). "Senator Allen has this in abundance, and I’m sure it will
make all the difference."
Prior to joining the Legislature, Allen was an anchorwoman for two
television stations in Philadelphia.
She served one term in the Assembly before moving to the Senate in
1998.
In the lower house, she was the prime sponsor of the No Early Release
Act, requiring violent offenders to serve 85 percent of their prison
time. Allen also sponsored the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act in the
Senate. That law allows parents to drop off their babies at a hospital
or police station without the threat of prosecution.
© 2009 New Jersey On-Line LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Jane Margaret Laight
> http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/nj_state_sen_diane_allen_is_...
under her maiden name, Diane Betzendahl, she was a swimming champion
at Bucknell University; I was in Philly when she first went on the
KYW-TV news team; if memory serves, she was a member of the same news
team as Vince Leonard, Mort Crim and Jessica Savitch, all of whom are
on topic, I think--it has to be close to thirty years now.
God, I am getting old.
JML
fossil
Charlene
Mort's still OT, although he had a healthscare last year.
wd45
Diner
> under her maiden name, Diane Betzendahl, she was a swimming champion
> at Bucknell University; I was in Philly when she first went on the
> KYW-TV news team; if memory serves, she was a member of the same news
> team as Vince Leonard, Mort Crim and Jessica Savitch, all of whom are
> on topic, I think--it has to be close to thirty years now.
>
> God, I am getting old.
>
> JML
> fossil
She co-anchored the noon news in the 70s - half of what was probably
the longest-named anchor team in the country: "Eyewitness News at Noon
with Roy Weissinger and Diane Betzendahl."
Vince Leonard and Mort Crim are still around, as is sportscaster Big
Al Meltzer. Weatherman Bill Kuster died in 2006.
BTW, Diane's daughter Sara Allen is a weekend anchor at KPRC Houston.
-Tim