Microsoft co-founder diagnosed with cancer
Paul Allen suffering from non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
By Robert McMillan | Published: 10:20, 17 November 2009
Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen has been diagnosed with lymphoma.
The 56 year old Allen was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma earlier this month, according to a letter sent by his sister, Jody Allen, to employees of his investment company Vulcan. It is a non-Hodgkin's form of the disease. Allen left Microsoft in 1983 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease.
"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," Jody Allen said in the e-mail, sent Monday.
"He continues to work and he has no plans to change his role at Vulcan," she added. Vulcan spokesman David Postman confirmed Jody Allen sent the email on Monday.
After leaving Microsoft, Allen founded Vulcan and subsequently invested in DreamWorks SKG, Oxygen Media and cable provider Charter Communications. He owns the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers, a National Basketball Association team.
Jody Allen is president and CEO of Vulcan.
