NICOLA Sturgeon was among Scotland’s politicians to send warm wishes to SNP MSP Ruth Maguire who revealed yesterday that she has been diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer.
Writing on Twitter, the First Minister said: “Sending love and strength to Ruth Maguire and her family – everyone in the SNP is thinking of you.”
SNP MP Amy Callaghan also sent her heartfelt wishes after she experienced her own health battles.
Callaghan, the MP for East Dunbartonshire, was diagnosed with melanoma when she was 19 and has been cancer-free since 2014.
The 29-year-old suffered a brain haemorrhage in June last year, undergoing emergency neurosurgery. She spent four months recovering in the Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital before she was discharged.
She tweeted: “Thinking of Ruth Maguire – sending all my love and best wishes.”
Finance and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said Maguire “is one of the bravest and the best. We are all willing you on, with love and care”.
Former Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Sending love and best wishes for recovery to Ruth Maguire and strength and support to her family, she’s so highly regarded.”
And SNP MSP Gillian Martin wrote: “My wonderful friend Ruth Maguire. She will get through this with the support of her lovely family.
“She is the best of us, one of the strongest, most determined people I know, and she will beat this.”
A survivor of cervical cancer also sent the MSP a message. She said: “It’s a horrible disease. Stay a warrior Ruth. I’m a survivor of 11 years now from 3rd stage . With our great NHS oncologists and surgeons you will be too. Sending strength to you.”
The charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust also sent its support.
Maguire, who represents the Cunninghame South constituency in Holyrood, announced yesterday she will be taking a medical leave of absence from public duties and frontline parliamentary work for treatment and recovery with immediate effect.
READ MORE: SNP MSP Ruth Maguire to take medical leave after announcing cancer diagnosis
The politician said that although her condition is serious, doctors believe it is treatable.
In a statement, she said: “On Tuesday 27th April 2021 I received the difficult news that I had been diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer.
“Having now had time to process what this means for me and talk things over with my family, I feel it is only right that I share this information with my constituents.
“Although my condition is serious, doctors believe it is treatable. Therefore, with immediate effect, I will be taking a medical leave of absence from public duties and frontline parliamentary work for treatment and recovery.”
During the 2016 to 2021 term, she served as convener of the Scottish Parliament’s equalities and human rights committee.
She is the daughter of former Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie. The former police officer retired from Holyrood at the election. He was previously the party’s justice spokesperson.
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