The public should know more about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and the health challenges he is facing when doctors provide an update on his abdominal tumour on Wednesday afternoon.
Mount Sinai Hospital has scheduled a 5 p.m. ET news conference where Dr. Zane Cohen will provide the update.
CBC viewers will be able to watch the news conference by clicking on the video at the top of this page. Mobile users should use this link to view the news conference.
Ford has been in hospital since last Wednesday, after doctors discovered the tumour.
He was initially admitted to Humber River Hospital, but was transferred to Mount Sinai last Thursday.
For days, Ford's family members have been visiting the hospital, but have said little to the public about his condition.
The mayor's nephew, Mike Ford, was seen heading into the hospital on Wednesday, but did not speak to reporters. Rob Ford's wife, Renata, and his mother, Diane, as well as his brother Randy arrived at the hospital in the afternoon.
His brother Coun. Doug Ford, who stepped in to fill Rob Ford's shoes in the mayoral race, said little as he arrived at the hospital on Wednesday.
'It's a tough day,' he said.
Doctors previously disclosed that Rob Ford has a 'fair size' tumour located in his mid- to lower abdomen. He is known to have undergone CT scans and a biopsy on his abdomen, though the Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington has reported that the mayor has since had another lung biopsy.
After the abdominal tumour was found, Ford dropped out of the mayoral race at the last minute - and Doug Ford replaced him on the ballot. Rob Ford, in turn, entered the race for councillor in Ward 2, which he held before becoming mayor.
Ford had tumour removed in 2009
Rob Ford was also hospitalized in 2009 for a tumour on his appendix that he had removed.
While serving as mayor, Ford has dealt with several health issues and has tried to lose weight.
The mayor turned 45 in May. He has been to hospital at least two other times this year - for a reported toe injury, and when he went into rehab nearly a year after the start of a drug-related scandal involving crack cocaine that has made Ford a world-famous politician.
Last year, reports emerged that Ford had been recorded smoking crack and that someone was trying to sell that recording. The mayor denied both using the drug and the existence of the tape.
Last October, police revealed they had obtained a video file that was consistent with what the media had reported. Within a week, Ford admitted to having smoked crack, which he then said had likely occurred during one of his 'drunken stupors.'
Ford did not leave office, despite repeated calls to do so. Council stripped him of some of his powers, but he carried on. He vowed to stop drinking.
The drug scandal made headlines around the world, along with various recordings that popped up showing Ford acting bizarrely, including one in which he was speaking in a Jamaican patois.
When photos emerged this spring of the mayor holding a crack pipe, Ford took a leave of absence and went to rehab. He came back to work at the end of June and resumed his campaign for re-election.
Ford has also been at the centre of other controversies, including a conflict-of-interest challenge that nearly cost him his job and a defamation lawsuit that was dismissed in court. His personal driving habits and his involvement in coaching high school football have also made headlines.
Ford was elected as mayor in 2010 after spending the previous decade serving as a city councillor in Etobicoke, the Toronto suburb where he lives. He is married and the father of two young children.
With files from The Canadian Press
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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