By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights City Councilmember Tim Schaefer announced at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting on Feb. 11 that he has been diagnosed with leukemia but plans to continue serving in office.
Schaefer, who represents District 3, told colleagues and members of the public that he was recently diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL), describing it as “a highly treatable cancer” with strong survival rates.
“I plan on being around a long, long time,” Schaefer said during the meeting. “I’m not going to resign. I’m going to be okay.”
Schaefer attended the meeting in person while wearing a mask. Recently he has participated in some meetings remotely, including the Jan. 28 City Council meeting, as he was at the peak of addressing health concerns.
The councilmember said he is expected to begin chemotherapy within the next week. Despite the diagnosis and upcoming treatment, Schaefer expressed optimism about his prognosis and reiterated his commitment to continuing his work on the council.
Hairy Cell Leukemia is a rare form of leukemia that typically progresses slowly and is considered highly treatable with modern therapies.
Schaefer did not indicate that his diagnosis would affect his ability to fulfill his duties, and he made clear he intends to remain active in his role. Schaefer ran unopposed during City Council elections in 2024 and was reelected to serve District 3 through December 2028.
