Former TV Anchor Diane Allen Has Cancer

Updated 1:30 PM EST, Mon, Nov 9, 2009

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SeanteNJ.com

Former Channel 10 news anchor and veteran New Jersey State Senator, Diane Allen, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

Allen didn’t release details of her illness but did release a statement Monday.

“My illness has shown me again just how much the good people of my district and the state of New Jersey care about others,” Allen said. “It’s impossible to express how grateful I am for their outpourings of caring, support and love.”

She was exploring treatment options with a world-class team of physicians. She expected to undergo surgery as early as this week and hoped to return to the state Senate soon.

“My plan is to return to the floor of the Senate at the first opportunity,” said Allen. “No illness will prevent me or my experienced and dedicated staff from providing the people of my district with full representation. My district office is open and ready to help any constituent who contacts us.”

Allen started in local media in 1970 at WJJZ Radio In Mount Holly, N.J. She made the jump to television in 1976 when she joined KYW-TV.

She worked at then CBS-owned WCAU-TV from 1989 to 1994.

Her TV career also included a three-year stint in Chicago.

She found a second career in politics. Allen was elected to the N.J. General Assembly in Nov. 1995. She was elected to the state Senate two years later.

Allen has represented parts of Burlington and Camden counties since 1996. As a senator, she has focused on issues involving child care, health care, education, housing and tax relief.