Hamilton Co. Commissioner Will Take Leave Of Absence For Cancer Surgery

Todd Portune said he will undergo surgery on Monday.

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune said Wednesday he will have his leg amputated in order to treat a tumor. Photo via Todd Portune/Facebook.

(Hamilton County, Oh.) - Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune is taking a leave of absence from his office to battle cancer. 

Portune announced Wednesday he has been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his left leg. The leg will require amputation to prevent the disease from spreading. 

He will undergo surgery on Monday and says he'll return to work as soon as possible. 

“I want to thank all of you in advance for your care, your prayers and your support. I thank God for his blessings and comfort. I am blessed with a great circle of friends, family, physicians and colleagues and I know that I will complete this new challenge in the same positive and successful manner as I have done with all such challenges in the past,” Portune said in a statement.

Cancer is not new to Portune, who has been stricken with spinal cord tumors since 1996, requiring three surgeries. The surgeries have left him without the full function of his left leg since 2003.

“In my case I will benefit from the miraculous developments in surgical procedures that will ensure the wound closes better and in a manner that will make me a far better candidate for the new types of prosthetics that have been developed over the last 15 years,” Portune said.

“The reality is I may be able to be far more mobile; far more balanced and to end up with a far better leg through prosthetics than I have today with my real leg. In that way having this cancer may become a true blessing in my life; one where I may walk again far better than I have for over 15 years and I will have a leg without all of the many complications currently are a part of my daily experience.”

Portune said his aide of 15 years, Lisa Daria, and chief of staff Victoria Parks will keep his office open and engaged during his absence. Hamilton County Commission vice president Denise Driehaus will run the board. Portune said he will vote on matters requiring it, as the board is prepared to convene meetings off-site if need be.