Bethlehem Mayor Aaron Snider, 21, Diagnosed With Hodgkin Lymphoma

Bethlehem Mayor Aaron Snider
BETHLEHEM — Village of Bethlehem Mayor Aaron Snider said he feels healthy and is going about his daily routine, at least for now.
The 21-year-old Snider — believed to be the youngest mayor ever elected in West Virginia when he took office at age 20 — was diagnosed this past week with Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer developing in the lymphatic system.
“I’m feeling all right,” Snider said. “I’m taking it one day at a time.”
Snider said he sought medical treatment after discovering a lump in his neck. Doctors conducted a biopsy, and determined it was a result of Hodgkin lymphoma.
“I have an appointment next week to discuss treatment,” he said. “I won’t even know fully what is going on until then. I feel perfectly healthy right now.”
Snider has served 13 months as Bethlehem’s mayor. Last October, he married his wife, Devon, and he continues to work in the family’s construction business.
According to information from the Cleveland Clinic, Hodgkin lymphomas typically affect people in two age groups. In the first group are people ages 20 to 39, which has the highest rate of diagnosis. The second group includes people ages 65 and older.
The disease most often affects the lymph nodes in the back of the neck, or in the chest cavity.
The Cleveland Clinic information further indicates that health care providers have treatments that can eliminate Hodgkin lymphoma’s signs and symptoms, and that survival rates continue to improve.
“I’m just willing to get started (with treatment) and get it over with,” Snider said.
He noted that since posting on social media of his diagnosis on Thursday he has received “tons of support,” much of it from people who have gone through cancer themselves.
“It doesn’t make sense to be diagnosed with a cancer at 21, but I’m young and healthy in other aspects and am ready to fight this,” Snider posted. “Thank you to everyone who has already shown so much support and love. Not even just to me but to Devon as well.
“This doesn’t make sense and doesn’t feel fair, but I don’t doubt that I’ll be posting about being in remission in the future. It’s just a battle to that point,” he said.