Susie Wiles Details Battle with Cancer While Working for Trump

Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, has shared her personal experience of battling early-stage breast cancer while continuing her duties under President Donald Trump. In an op-ed for USA Today, Wiles, 69, described her six-month journey through chemotherapy, surgery, and medical appointments, all while managing one of the most demanding jobs in Washington.

Wiles was diagnosed in March and announced on September 16 that she had been declared cancer-free. She wrote that the experience provided her with a "deeper appreciation" for her colleagues, her work, and "the preciousness of every day."

"It was a difficult road," Wiles stated. "Because chemotherapy is, in a word, a b----." To cope with the "brutal and unrelenting" fight, she immersed herself in her work. "From the moment you wake in the morning – sometimes even while you sleep – it occupies the conscious and subconscious mind. Treatment. Side effects. Test results. Is the treatment working? What is the prognosis? What comes next?" she explained, noting that at times, her mind was overwhelmed.

Despite the challenges, Wiles made an effort to maintain her professional responsibilities. "I worked hard not to let breast cancer become the center of everything. Instead, I directed as much of my energy as I could toward doing my job. People depended on me to be strong and clear-eyed, and I was determined not to let them down." She sought to avoid measuring each day by her physical well-being, stating, "Work did not make the cancer disappear from my mind. However, it reminded me that I was still myself – and that my life was about more than my disease."

While the cancer affected her energy, focus, stamina, and mobility, Wiles credited her team at the White House for their support. "Throughout my fight with cancer, a talented, hardworking and deeply devoted team, inside the White House and outside, made all the difference." She noted that colleagues stepped forward without hesitation, filling gaps and shouldering additional responsibilities, which prevented her from feeling alone.

Wiles also acknowledged the crucial support from her two daughters, who accompanied her throughout her treatment. She concluded her op-ed with a message of encouragement to others facing a cancer diagnosis, asserting, "Cancer does not have to take away who you are." She added, "With grit, determination, faith and the support of extraordinary people, it is possible to fight this disease while continuing to embrace the work, relationships and sense of purpose that make you who you are."