Sen. John McCain, who was diagnosed with a severe type of brain cancer last year, will discontinue treatments for the disease, his family announced Friday.

The Arizona Republican — who will be 82 on Wednesday — began undergoing treatment for glioblastoma in July 2017, when he had a blood clot removed from above his left eye during a time when lawmakers were debating on whether to introduce a new healthcare bill. His family’s announcement suggests the senator may be approaching his final days.

“Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: He had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict,” the family said in a statement. “With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment.”

The senator’s 33-year-old daughter Meghan McCain, one of the co-hosts of The View, shared the family’s statement on Twitter, adding that her family was “deeply appreciative of all the love and generosity you have shown us during this past year.”

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“Thank you for all your continued support and prayers,” she added. “We could not have made it this far without you.”


McCain’s wife Cindy also shared the statement, saying “I love my husband will all of my heart. God bless everyone who has cared for my husband along this journey.”

Even as his health has declined, McCain — who has served on the U.S. Senate since 1987 and who was a prisoner during the Vietnam War — has continued to speak out about social and political issues. The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has also repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump on several occasions, especially with respect to foreign policy issues like conflict resolution in Syria or Trump’s relationship with Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. 

Earlier this month, Trump signed a defense bill named for McCain, but didn’t acknowledge the veteran senator.

In May, McCain released a book called The Restless Wave, in which he blasted Trump and discusses the rise of far-right conservative news outlets like Breitbart, among other topics. McCain said he did not want the president to attend his funeral.

The 2008 GOP nominee for president, McCain went on to develop a reputation as a moderate Republican who became one of the most prominent voices of the party.

Among those who shared their thoughts and prayers for the McCains on social media were Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and former Secretary of State John Kerry. 

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