East County News Service • July 5, 2026
Congressional candidate von Wilpert reveals surgery for early-stage breast cancer with “excellent cure rate”
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Borrego Springs is part of the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District, making the race directly relevant to local voters.
East County News Service
July 4, 2026 (San Diego) – Marni von Wilpert, San Diego City Councilmember and Democratic nominee for Congress in the 48th district, underwent successful surgery last week for early-stage breast cancer detected after a routine mammogram in late spring.
Her treatment has been overseen by Dr. Noran M. Barry, MD, surgical oncologist at Sharp Healthcare. Dr. Barry said: “Councilmember von Wilpert’s surgery was very successful and her prognosis is excellent. This is a slow-growing, highly treatable type with an expected cure rate of 99% based on her diagnosis, the positive surgical outcome and her overall good health. I expect a full and rapid recovery and no significant effect on her daily activities.”
Dr. Barry adds, “I cannot emphasize enough the role early detection played in ensuring this was curable and how critical annual breast cancer screenings are for women’s health.”
According to her campaign, von Wilpert, has continued to campaign for Congress full-time and serve her City Council constituents throughout her diagnosis and treatment. Along with a video update on social media, she stated, “I’m sharing this because I want women to know that routine screenings save lives. My doctors caught this early, my prognosis is excellent, I feel great and I’m not missing a beat from the campaign trail. I nearly put off my annual mammogram this year, but I’m so grateful I didn’t because early detection saves lives.”
She adds, “I feel so fortunate because I have quality healthcare and can afford my co-pays, but millions of American women and families don’t have that same security – and that must change. This has only made me more determined to fight for a country where affordable healthcare, women’s health and medical research are protected and expanded, not cut or taken away. No one should have to worry whether they can afford life-saving healthcare.”
In late spring, von Wilpert received a routine reminder letter for her annual mammogram. The screening and subsequent testing detected Stage 2, Grade 1 slow-growing, curable breast cancer. Last week’s surgery showed no further abnormalities or spread.
Breast cancer is one of the most common – and, if caught early, most treatable – cancers in America. It affects about one in eight women (13%), according to the American Cancer Society.
Von Wilpert thanked her medical team and family for their support and said the surgery will not affect her campaign.
“I am so grateful for my amazing doctors and nurses. Moments like this remind you what really matters and this has reminded me of why I chose public service in the first place – to make life healthier, safer, and more hopeful for everyone. Nothing is going to stop me from showing up, fighting for working families and winning the better future we all deserve.”
After winning the June primary race, von Wilpert will face off against Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican in the 48th Congressional district to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Darrell Issa. The race is among the most closely watched Congressional contests in the nation, since with redistricting, the district now has slightly more Democrats than Republicans, boosting hopes among Democrats hoping to regain a majority in the House of Representatives.
The redrawn district includes Borrego Springs, Descanso, Pine Valley, Escondido, Vista, Warner Springs, and Santa Ysabel, as well as parts of Oceanside, and Riverside County including Palm Springs.
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