Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

David Heath
Thursday, 19 November 2009 06:40

IT Industry - Market

Announced in a letter to employees of Vulcan Inc, his investment company, Paul Allen has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; he continues to work at the company while undergoing chemotherapy.

In a letter to Vulcan employees (first released by Techflash), Allen's sister, Jody, wrote:

To employees of Vulcan and affiliates:

I want to let you know that Paul was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

He received the diagnosis early this month and has begun chemotherapy. Doctors say he has diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a relatively common form of lymphoma.

This is tough news for Paul and the family. But for those who know Paul's story, you know he beat Hodgkin's a little more than 25 years ago and he is optimistic he can beat this, too.

Paul is feeling OK and remains upbeat. He continues to work and he has no plans to change his role at Vulcan. His health comes first, though, and we'll be sure that nothing intrudes on that.

We would ask you to respect Paul's privacy and not discuss this outside of the office.

If you have any questions, please ask your EC member.

Thank you in advance for what I know will be all your good thoughts for Paul.

Jody

After leaving Microsoft in 1983 due to the onset of Hodgkin's disease, which he defeated, Allen created Vulcan, his own investment company and also became active in sporting ventures, taking ownership of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team and the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team.

Allen was also the sole investor behind SpaceShipOne, Burt Rutan's successful vehicle to achieve privately funded suborbital spaceflight on December 17th 2003 – the 100th anniversary of manned flight.

iTWire joins will all our fellow press members in wishing Paul the greatest of success in this latest challenge.