Family of former Utah congresswoman Mia Love says cancer not 'responding to treatment'

Former Utah congresswoman Mia Love takes the stage to speak at the Together in Christ Utah YSA Conference at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City on Aug. 19, 2023. Her daughter wrote Saturday that Love's cancer has progressed and the family has "shifted our focus from treatment to enjoying our remaining time with her."

Former Utah congresswoman Mia Love takes the stage to speak at the Together in Christ Utah YSA Conference at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City on Aug. 19, 2023. Her daughter wrote Saturday that Love's cancer has progressed and the family has "shifted our focus from treatment to enjoying our remaining time with her." (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)


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SARATOGA SPRINGS — The family of former Utah congresswoman Mia Love says they've "shifted our focus from treatment to enjoying our remaining time with her" in a somber medical update.

Love's daughter, Abigale, posted a message on social media on Saturday, snapping a streak of months where Love had not posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Sadly, her cancer is no longer responding to treatment and the cancer is progressing," Love's family wrote, sharing a family photo. "We have shifted our focus from treatment to enjoying our remaining time with her."

Her family added they were working to build "an archive of special memories" with her, asking for people to send them photos, videos or any memories they have of her to MiaLoveMemories@gmail.com.

Many responded to the post wishing the best for Love and her family, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

"Mia Love has served Utah with integrity, and her strength and grace continue to inspire us," the governor wrote. "Our hearts are with Mia and her family during this difficult time. Utah stands with you."

Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy posted on X, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mia and her family."

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown said, "Mia's devoted service to Utah has inspired me and countless others. Our hearts and prayers are with her family during this challenging time."

"My heartfelt prayers to my dear, Mia and her family at this time," Utah Rep. Burgess Owens said.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson posted, "Mia and I have been friends for 16 years. "Refrigerator friends" is what she calls us. BFFs who can walk into each other's houses without knocking and rummage around in the fridge. Her courage and faith are so inspiring. I wish this terrible disease was one that could be beaten."

Love, 49, revealed in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in early 2022. She told an audience at a YSA Area Conference that she had outlived the initial 10 to 15 months she had been given to live.

"I would believe the diagnosis, but I would not believe the prognosis," she said at the time.

Last year, Henderson asked Utahns to help donate to a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for treatment after Love qualified for a clinical trial at Duke University. In an interview with CNN, Duke researchers said the treatment seemed to be working, but they cautioned that it may not work for all patients and it was too early to tell how long the treatment would continue to work.

Love served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, becoming the first Black Republican woman in Congress following her 2014 election win. She served both as the mayor and city councillor of the fast-growing Saratoga Springs before that.

She's held a few roles since her time in office, including work as a correspondent for CNN. Utah State University also awarded her an honorary degree of humane letters in 2023.

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Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.

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