Salt Lake City, Utah – The passing of Mia Love, the pioneering Black Republican woman who served in the U.S. House, has shed light on the devastating impact of glioblastoma, the aggressive brain cancer that claimed her life at the age of 49. Love, who had been undergoing treatment for glioblastoma, including immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial, was no longer responding to treatment according to her daughter’s recent statement. She passed away at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah.
Mia Love, born Ludmya Bourdeau, was the daughter of Haitian immigrants and made history as the first Black Republican woman to be elected to Congress, representing Utah from 2015 to 2019. Love began her political career in 2003 by winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, eventually becoming the city’s mayor. Despite her initial loss in a House bid, Love persevered and secured victory in a subsequent election, becoming a significant figure within the GOP. However, her influence waned as President Donald Trump’s presidency unfolded. Love distanced herself from Trump and criticized his remarks about immigrants, ultimately losing her seat in the 2018 midterm elections.
Love’s battle with glioblastoma began in 2022 when she was diagnosed with the aggressive and incurable brain cancer. Despite initially responding well to treatment, the tumor eventually became resistant, leading to her passing. Glioblastoma is known for its rapid growth and resistance to treatment, making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer. Treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy may help slow its progression, but there is currently no cure.
Glioblastoma affects over 13,000 Americans annually, comprising a significant portion of all cancerous brain tumors. The disease poses significant challenges due to its advanced stage at diagnosis and the difficulty in eradicating all cancer cells. Love’s passing serves as a reminder of the urgent need for continued research and improved treatment options for this devastating disease.
Each year, the National Brain Tumor Society reports on the disease known as glioblastoma. This type of brain cancer can affect individuals of any age, but it is more commonly found in older adults, with the average age of diagnosis being 64. Notable figures such as former President Joe Biden’s son Beau Biden in 2015 and Sen. John McCain in 2018 have succumbed to this aggressive form of cancer.
Unfortunately, researchers have not yet discovered a way to prevent glioblastoma, and the exact cause of most cases remains unknown. The cancer arises when glial cells in the brain or spinal cord undergo genetic mutations. Individuals exposed to high levels of radiation are at a higher risk of developing glioblastoma, and a family history of the disease or certain rare genetic syndromes can also elevate the likelihood of brain cancer occurrence.
For those diagnosed with glioblastoma, the prognosis is challenging, with an average life expectancy of 15-18 months and a mere 10% chance of survival beyond five years, as reported by the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Despite the grim statistics, some individuals, like the writer Love, have managed to extend their lives with aggressive treatments, such as Love who lived for approximately three years post-diagnosis. In her op-ed for the Deseret News, Love expressed gratitude for the exceptional medical care, scientific advancements, and unwavering support from friends and community that have granted her extra time in this world.
