The eldest daughter of Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, died Thursday afternoon after losing a nearly four-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Rachel Cannon was 25 years old.
Rachel Cannon was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, and doctors at that time removed a malignant mass from her leg. The surgery was successful, and Rachel remained cancer-free until September, when doctors found a recurrence of the cancer during a regular checkup.
The congressman returned to Utah to spend time with Rachel and his family.
The Cannon family mourned the loss in a statement released Friday. "As Rachel faced this most difficult challenge over the past few months, we have been reminded daily of the fundamental kindness and good will of our many friends and neighbors. The support and prayers for Rachel and our family have been overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful.
"We will miss the joy and happiness she brought us, but we take comfort in the knowledge that she is now free of suffering," the statement continued. "As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the wonderful gift of her life."
Cannon won re-election to Utah's 3rd Congressional District in November. In October, he pledged that, if re-elected, he would work toward bettering cancer research in the United States.
"There is a consensus on the problems but no consensus on what to do," Cannon told the Deseret Morning News. "We're going to step in and try to do something to solve it . . . The hope for cancer victims is in changing the way we do our research." Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Mapleton North Stake Center, 475 N. 1600 West, Mapleton. Burial and graveside services will follow at 4 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 N. N St.
Viewings will be held Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cannon home, 875 E. 1600 N., Mapleton, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Mapleton North Stake Center.
In lieu of flowers, the Cannon family has asked that donations be made in Rachel Cannon's honor to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' tsunami disaster-relief efforts or to other organizations providing assistance to victims of the recent natural disaster.