Rep. Donald McEachin passes away at 61 after battle with colorectal cancer - CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR

1 year ago 50

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Congressman Donald McEachin (D - Richmond) passed distant connected Monday astatine the property of 61.

Tara Rountree, McEachin's Chief of Staff, said that the congressman passed pursuing a conflict with colorectal cancer.

McEachin was archetypal elected to Virginia's 4th District successful 2016. Earlier this month, he was reelected for his 4th word successful Congress wherever helium lent his dependable and enactment to protecting civilian rights and LGBTQ protections.

He was besides outspoken for equality, curbing weapon unit and biology protection.

According to The Washington Post, helium was the third-ever African American to correspond Virginia successful the U.S. House.

McEachin is survived by his wife, Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin and their 3 big children.

Earlier this month, McEachin attended a premiere for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" wherever helium shared his idiosyncratic wellness battles successful a packed theater.

"I can't accent to you capable the value of aboriginal detection," McEachin said. "I cognize galore of you person watched my travel and I've had a fig of wellness issues. Nearly each 1 of the issues he's had is related to the radiation helium had to woody with my colon cancer, my rectal crab actually."

He urged the assemblage to get regular exams.

"Don't fool around. Don't spell done my journey. Go to the doctor," McEachin said.

Rountree shared the pursuing connection connected Monday night.

We are each devastated astatine the passing of our brag and friend, Congressman Donald McEachin. Valiantly, for years now, we person watched him combat and triumph implicit the secondary effects of his colorectal crab from 2013. Tonight, helium mislaid that battle, and the radical of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District mislaid a leader who always, ever fought for them and enactment them first. Until a caller typical is elected, our bureau volition stay unfastened and proceed to service our constituents. The household asks for privateness astatine this time. Arrangements volition beryllium announced implicit the adjacent fewer days.

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