Mark DeSaunier Accident/Health

Mark DeSaulnier, you have my prayers and best wishes for a full and quick recovery. I may have come down hard politically on Mark, but I have had a number of personal interactions with him over the past decade and he is a genuinely very friendly and pleasant person. As a fellow marathon runner, I look forward to running with him some day! Get well Mark! Michael

Back from brink of death, Mark DeSaulnier is ready to work and run again

WASHINGTON — The last thing Concord Rep. Mark DeSaulnier remembers is a voice telling the ambulance driver to turn on the sirens. He spent the next month unconscious.

It was March 13. The Democrat was being rushed to a hospital in the nation’s capital, where he would be put on a ventilator as he battled pneumonia and a virulent infection. He suffered a mild heart attack and faced multiple organ failure. Doctors at one point gave him a 10% chance of surviving.

But survive he did. Now he’s back to work, back to hopes of someday finishing another marathon, and back in the East Bay district he has represented at the local, state and federal level for decades. Read More Below

2020-09-27 Back from brink of death, Mark DeSaulnier is ready to work and run again

2020-04-14 Bay Area Rep. Mark DeSaulnier improves, is moved out of intensive care

East Bay Rep. Mark DeSaulnier has made progress in his monthlong fight against pneumonia and has been moved out of a hospital intensive care unit, his sons said.

DeSaulnier, D-Concord, has been hospitalized since March 13 with pneumonia that grew out of complications from a broken rib he suffered when he fell while running. The pneumonia was not related to the coronavirus pandemic — his office and family say 68-year-old DeSaulnier tested negative.

“Our Dad is a fighter, he has made good progress, and today he moved out of the intensive care unit and will continue to be treated in the hospital for non-COVID pneumonia, and begin a journey towards recovery,” sons Tristan and Tucker DeSaulnier said in a statement Monday night. “This would be difficult enough at any time, but given the daily dangers we all face from the coronavirus, his path ahead is especially complicated.

“Heartfelt concerns and well-wishes from the community, for whom he cares so deeply, have kept Dad going, and we can’t thank everyone enough,” the statement said. “We appreciate the kindness during this difficult time, and we hope that you can continue to offer support and time as he heals.

“We are incredibly grateful for the tireless efforts of the ICU doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who cared for our Dad and go above and beyond for everyone who enters their doors,” the congressman’s sons said.

DeSaulnier is in remission for stage four chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which he was diagnosed with in July 2015.

Trapper Byrne is The San Francisco Chronicle politics editor. Email: tbyrne@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @trapperbyrne

2020-04-14 Bay Area Rep. Mark DeSaulnier improves, is moved out of intensive care

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2020-04-01 Congressman Mark DeSaulnier ‘Showing Progress’ During Pneumonia Treatment, Family Says

WASHINGTON (CBS SF) — East Bay Congressman Mark DeSaulnier remains in critical but stable condition and is showing progress during treatment for pneumonia, his family announced Tuesday.

DeSaulnier’s sons Tristan and Tucker released an update on their father’s condition Tuesday afternoon, saying they were “heartened by all the support, strength and birthday wishes” for their dad.

“Our Dad remains in critical condition, but is stable and continues to be characteristically resilient. While his situation remains serious, he is showing progress as his doctors continue to treat his pneumonia. His road to recovery is uncertain, ongoing, and will take time. Right now, our priority – and his – is ensuring improvement continues,” the DeSaulnier sons said.

The democratic congressman was admitted to a Washington, DC-area hospital on March 21 to treat complications from pneumonia after suffering a “traumatic rib fracture” when he fell during a run.

“Even in the most difficult times, Dad has always had faith that California and America are strong enough to face any challenge. And we believe the same of him,” his sons said.

DeSaulnier was tested for COVID-19 and the test came back negative.

The congressman has represented California’s 11th congressional district, which includes most of Contra Costa County, since 2015. According to the biography on his congressional website, DeSaulnier is described as an avid runner, who has completed 21 marathons.

2020-03-24 Update on Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Press Release: Washington, DC – “We’ve been amazed and moved by the outpouring of support, prayers, and love from everyone who cares so deeply about our dad. We can’t thank you all enough. It’s a testament to him that even at this difficult moment, so many people have taken the time and effort to reach out on his behalf.

“At this point, our dad remains in critical condition in the ICU. The doctors are hopeful that he remains stable, but he has much improvement to go. He has devoted his time, energy, and his life to the citizens of California, and we hope that you will all continue to lend him your support while giving him the quiet he needs as he continues fighting the good fight,” said Tristan and Tucker DeSaulnier, Congressman DeSaulnier’s sons.

2020-03-24 East Bay Rep. DeSaulnier remains hospitalized in critical condition

Congressman battling complications of pneumonia after rib fracture in running accident

Mark DeSaulnier remained in critical condition battling complications of pneumonia resulting from a rib fracture that occurred in a running accident, his two grown sons said Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement issued through the congressman’s office, Tristan and Tucker DeSaulnier said their father was in intensive care. “The doctors are hopeful that he remains stable, but he has much improvement to go,” they said.

The hospitalization of DeSaulnier, D-Concord, in the middle of a national crisis was not related to coronavirus — he has tested negative for COVID-19.

DeSaulnier, 67, a cancer survivor, avid runner and former marathoner, was first hospitalized for the pneumonia on March 13, days after the accident.

His office reported on March 16 that he was in serious, but stable condition. But his condition deteriorated to critical by Saturday. The announcement Tuesday confirmed that his condition had not changed; it did not provide more details on his treatment.

“We’ve been amazed and moved by the outpouring of support, prayers and love from everyone who cares so deeply about our dad,” the congressman’s sons said. They asked that people “continue to lend him your support while giving him the quiet he needs as he continues fighting the good fight.”

East Bay Rep. DeSaulnier remains hospitalized in critical condition

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2020-03-21 Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s condition worsens, now listed as critical

Washington, DC – “Last Friday, Congressman DeSaulnier was admitted to the hospital to treat complications of pneumonia from a traumatic rib fracture that occurred after falling during a run. He was in serious, but stable condition, and the hospital later advised he was COVID-19 negative.

“Unfortunately, Congressman DeSaulnier’s condition has deteriorated and he is in critical condition. 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,” said Betsy Arnold Marr, Chief of Staff to Congressman DeSaulnier.

Statement on Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s Condition

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2020-03-21 Press Release on Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s Condition

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s condition worsens, now listed as critical

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, who has been hospitalized with pneumonia after fracturing a rib in a running accident, is in critical condition.

DeSaulnier was originally listed in serious but stable condition, but his health has taken a turn for the worse, according to a statement Saturday afternoon from his office. He is being treated at a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area.

DeSaulnier, a 67-year-old cancer survivor and avid runner who has completed 21 marathons, tested negative for COVID-19.

“Unfortunately, Congressman DeSaulnier’s condition has deteriorated and he is in critical condition. 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,” said his chief of staff, Betsy Arnold Marr.

2020-03-21 Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s condition worsens, now listed as critical

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2020-03-16 East Bay Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Fractures Rib During Run, Hospitalized With Pneumonia

WASHINGTON (CBS SF) – Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, a Democrat who represents the East Bay in Congress, has been hospitalized after falling and fracturing a rib during a recent run, according to his office.

DeSaulnier was admitted to a Washington, DC-area hospital Friday night to treat complications from pneumonia after suffering a “traumatic rib fracture” “He is in serious, but stable condition and will likely be in the hospital for at least the next several days.

2020-03-16 East Bay Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Fractures Rib During Run, Hospitalized With Pneumonia

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March 16, 2020 Press Release

Washington, DC – “On Friday night, Congressman DeSaulnier was admitted to a local hospital to treat complications of pneumonia from a traumatic rib fracture that occurred after falling during a run. He is in serious, but stable condition and will likely be in the hospital for at least the next several days. The office operations remain unchanged and staff will continue to serve our constituents. We are grateful for your thoughts and well wishes during this time. We will provide additional updates as they come,” said Betsy Arnold Marr, Chief of Staff for Congressman DeSaulnier.

2020-03-16 Press Release

Rep. Desaulnier Hospitalized With Pneumonia, Broken Rib

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