California congressman Mark DeSaulnier, 67, who finished 21 marathons and beat stage 4 leukemia, is in critical condition with pneumonia after falling during a run

  • DeSaulnier was admitted to a hospital of March 13 after he fractured a rib
  • The San Francisco Bay Area congressman fell while he was running 
  • Was initially in serious condition, but his condition has since worsened to critical
  • The Democrat's office said he tested negative for the coronavirus 
  • DeSaulnier, an avid runner, has completed 21 marathons
  • He most recently was in remission from Stage 4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • Several colleagues in Congress took to Twitter to offer up sympathy and prayers 

By Associated Press and Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

A congressman representing a San Francisco Bay Area district is in critical condition after he was hospitalized with Pneumonia after he fractured a rib, his chief of staff said Saturday.

U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier was admitted to a hospital of March 13 after he fractured a rib when he fell while running, Betsy Arnold Marr said in a statement. 

The Democrat tested negative for the coronavirus, she said.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier is in critical condition after he was hospitalized with pneumonia after he fractured a rib

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier is in critical condition after he was hospitalized with pneumonia after he fractured a rib

DeSaulnier, 67, was initially in serious condition, but his condition has since worsened to critical, Marr said.

'The doctors are doing everything they can to care for the Congressman. Mark´s family and staff appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,' she said.

DeSaulnier, a Democrat, represents a district that covers much of Contra Costa County.

He was elected to the House in 2014.

The 67-year-old was admitted to a hospital of March 13 after he fractured a rib when he fell while running. He tested negative for coronavirus

The 67-year-old was admitted to a hospital of March 13 after he fractured a rib when he fell while running. He tested negative for coronavirus 

Another California Democrat, House Rep. Eric Swalwell, tweeted: 'Please pray for my colleague and East Bay neighbor. He needs us.'

Another California Democrat, House Rep. Eric Swalwell, tweeted: 'Please pray for my colleague and East Bay neighbor. He needs us.'

House Rep. Barbara Lee, the Democratic congresswoman who represents nearby Oakland, tweeted: 'Congressman Mark DeSaulnier is a dedicated leader and fighter for East Bay families, and a dear friend who I love and respect. I¿m sending him strength, love, and prayers today.'

House Rep. Barbara Lee, the Democratic congresswoman who represents nearby Oakland, tweeted: 'Congressman Mark DeSaulnier is a dedicated leader and fighter for East Bay families, and a dear friend who I love and respect. I’m sending him strength, love, and prayers today.'

House Rep. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat who represents California's 47th congressional district, tweeted: 'I¿m hoping that all of you can offer your prayers and well wishes to Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, one of my dearest friends in Congress. My family and I are praying for him and wish him a speedy recovery.'

House Rep. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat who represents California's 47th congressional district, tweeted: 'I’m hoping that all of you can offer your prayers and well wishes to Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, one of my dearest friends in Congress. My family and I are praying for him and wish him a speedy recovery.'

House Rep. Josh Harder of California's 10th congressional district tweeted: 'Please join me and Pam in praying for Congressman DeSaulnier. Hang in there, Mark.'

House Rep. Josh Harder of California's 10th congressional district tweeted: 'Please join me and Pam in praying for Congressman DeSaulnier. Hang in there, Mark.'

House Rep. Jamie Raskin, also a Democrat who represents Maryland's 8th congressional district, tweeted: 'Sending love, strength and prayers for recovery to our beloved Mark DeSaulnier, a great Congressman and leader. All of America is pulling for you and your family right now.'

House Rep. Jamie Raskin, also a Democrat who represents Maryland's 8th congressional district, tweeted: 'Sending love, strength and prayers for recovery to our beloved Mark DeSaulnier, a great Congressman and leader. All of America is pulling for you and your family right now.'

House Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican who represents the at-large district in North Dakota, tweeted: 'Wishing Congressman DeSaulnier, his family, and his staff all the best.'

House Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican who represents the at-large district in North Dakota, tweeted: 'Wishing Congressman DeSaulnier, his family, and his staff all the best.'

Tom Peretz, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, tweeted: 'My thoughts are with Congressman DeSaulnier and his family, and I'll be keeping them in my prayers during this difficult time.'

Tom Peretz, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, tweeted: 'My thoughts are with Congressman DeSaulnier and his family, and I'll be keeping them in my prayers during this difficult time.'

DeSaulnier is an avid runner who has completed 21 marathons. He also survived Stage 4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia, according to the the Bay City News Service.

Several fellow members of Congress took to Twitter to offer their sympathies and prayers for their ill colleague.

WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?

Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs. 

The condition causes these sacs to be become inflammed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe.

Pneumonia is caused by bacteria or viruses, with the most common being Streptococcus pneumoniae. 

It affects between five and 11 out of every 1,000 adults every year in the UK. 

Anyone can suffer from pneumonia, however, at-risk groups include:

  • Babies and young children
  • People over 65
  • Those with long-term heart, lung or kidney disease
  • People with cancer, particularly those having chemotherapy
  • Smokers
  • Those on drugs that suppress their immune systems

Antibiotics or mechanical ventilator use in hospitals also raise the risk. 

Symptoms include

  • Coughing up mucus
  • Fever
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue

In severe cases, sufferers may cough up blood, vomit or have a rapid heart rate.

Treatment is usually antibiotics, which may need to be given intravenously in hospital in severe cases.

Source: British Lung Foundation 

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House Rep. Barbara Lee, the Democratic congresswoman who represents nearby Oakland, tweeted: 'Congressman Mark DeSaulnier is a dedicated leader and fighter for East Bay families, and a dear friend who I love and respect. 

'I’m sending him strength, love, and prayers today.' 

House Rep. Jamie Raskin, also a Democrat who represents Maryland's 8th congressional district, tweeted: 'Sending love, strength and prayers for recovery to our beloved Mark DeSaulnier, a great Congressman and leader. 

'All of America is pulling for you and your family right now.'

House Rep. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat who represents California's 47th congressional district, tweeted: 'I’m hoping that all of you can offer your prayers and well wishes to Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, one of my dearest friends in Congress. 

'My family and I are praying for him and wish him a speedy recovery.'

House Rep. Josh Harder of California's 10th congressional district tweeted: 'Please join me and Pam in praying for Congressman DeSaulnier. 

'Hang in there, Mark.'

House Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican who represents the at-large district in North Dakota, tweeted: 'Wishing Congressman DeSaulnier, his family, and his staff all the best.'

Another California Democrat, House Rep. Eric Swalwell, tweeted: 'Please pray for my colleague and East Bay neighbor.

'He needs us.'

Tom Peretz, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, tweeted: 'My thoughts are with Congressman DeSaulnier and his family, and I'll be keeping them in my prayers during this difficult time.'   

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