Jimmy Carter, 90, isn't quitting his job to fight cancer
Former President Jimmy Carter may be at peace with his brain cancer diagnosis, but he's still fighting the four small melanoma tumors doctors discovered inside his head. On Thursday, he received targeted radiation treatment, and earlier this week he got the first of four injections of a newly approved drug, pembrolizumab, aimed at boosting his immune system. And Carter, 90, says he still plans to teach Sunday School at his church this weekend, even while family gathers in Plains, Georgia, for his wife, Rosalynn's, 88th birthday.
At his unusually upbeat news conference on Thursday, Carter also said that he isn't quitting his humanitarian work, his lecturing position at Emory University, or raising money for the Carter Center. "Within the bounds of my physical and mental capability I'll continue to do it," Carter said. "But I'm going to have to give the treatment regimen top priority."
Carter Center CEO Mary Ann Peters supports those priorities. "We understand that he has to focus on his treatment, and that's what we want him to do," she said. "The best thing we can do is continue to do our job so that when we report to him, we're not creating any problems." But grandson Jason Carter suggested to The Associated Press that perhaps his grandfather, who turns 91 on Oct. 1, should consider slowing down "to go catch some fish, and hopefully catch more of his grandkids' baseball games."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
5 high rating cartoons about Biden's low poll numbers
Cartoons Artists take on checklists, ice creams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A gastronomic tour of the Costa de la Luz
The Week Recommends This Spanish spot has fantastic restaurants "rooted in the region's distinctive produce"
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: May 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published