Dundee City Council leader announces cancer treatment
Mark Flynn says the last few months have been "a shock"
Dundee City Council leader Mark Flynn has announced he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
He told Tay FM he remains fully committed to improving the lives of others across the city.
Mark took the helm at the local authority in September, replacing John Alexander.
The councillor is also the father of SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn.
In a statement, he said: “The last few months have been something of a shock for myself and my family.
“Firstly, I was honoured to take on the role of Leader of Dundee City Council, something I could never have imagined as a young boy growing up in our schemes.
“But less than a few short weeks later I was hit with another surprise, albeit a slightly scarier one.
“Like most people of a certain age, I’ve had various aches and pains over the years, some more serious than others.
“And, like a lot of men of my generation I often need a little convincing from the family to go to the GP.
“This latest occasion was slightly different on that front, as the seriousness of the discomfort I was feeling left me in no doubt that I needed to be checked over by a professional.
“And, after some rapid tests by the NHS, I was told a number of weeks ago that the pain I have been experiencing was being caused by cancer.
“It’s not something you ever expect to be told but it is the reality of the situation I now face. The same, of course, is true for thousands of people across our nation.
Mark feared telling family about diagnosis because it would make it seem "more real"
“Since my diagnosis I have been receiving treatment and it is my hope that the prognosis will ultimately be positive.
“I know that it won’t be an easy journey, but I am fortunate to have my family at my back.
“If I’m honest, the hardest part up until now has probably been escaping my own pride to share this news with friends, colleagues and now the people I serve across our city.
“Not just because I have always lived a relatively private life, but because doing so makes it all seem more real than it otherwise would.
Commitment to Dundee residents will not be impacted
“Going forward I will need a little more time to prioritise my own health, but I am fully committed to continuing with the work of improving the lives of others across Dundee.
“With the full support of my council colleagues, I intend to do just that. It’s who I am and so very important to me.
“Now, it may seem a bit clichéd, but life is indeed full of highs and lows, and I have experienced both in very personal terms these last few weeks.
“So, to all who may read this I simply say to enjoy life as best you can and hold close those you love.