FILE - In this June 10, 2018 file photo, Minnesota 1st District congressional candidate Jim Hagedorn poses for a photo before a parade in Waterville, Minn. Minnesota freshman Republican Rep. Hagedorn said Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, he is being treated for cancer but still plans to run for re-election this year. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

BLUE EARTH – Minnesota First District Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a Republican, said on Wednesday he is reponding well to cancer trreatment.

“Last week, I attended one of my regularly scheduled checkup appointments at the Mayo Clinic,” he said in a statement. “I am pleased to report that my response to treatment continues to go exceedingly well. The immunotherapy is boosting my body’s immune system and enabling it to identify and kill the cancer cells.

“I’m feeling great and working hard. Rest assured, I will keep fighting cancer and fighting for America and the people of southern Minnesota.”

Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer on Feb. 15, during a routine health examination. He had no symptoms and the cancer was detected accidentally. Hagedorn has received medical care and treatment at the Mayo Clinic for the past 15 months, the statement said.

Since being sworn into office in January, Hagedorn has held 26 town hals (including an in-person event in each of the First District’s 21 counties), made 44 roundtrips to and from Washington, D.C. and has not missed a single vote due to illness, said his statement.

Hagedorn encouraged Gov. Tim Walz to “safely and promptly” reopen Minnesota’s hospitals and medical clinics so residents can again receive routine consultations and preventative screenings.

Hagedorn said that since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of Americans, many completely unaware of illness and in need of immediate life-saving treatment, will likely die or incur lasting health problems due to postponed diagnosis and treatment.

Hagedorn said that he likely would not be alive today had his cancer diagnosis and treatment been delayed for even one or two months.