CHRB's Breed Recovering From Cancer Surgery

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Kirk Breed, executive director of the California Horse Racing Board, is recovering from cancer surgery and undergoing physical therapy at a Sacramento hospital.

Breed, diagnosed with a type of lymphoma a year ago, had his spleen removed the week of Sept. 10 at Sisters of Mercy Hospital. He said Sept. 13 that he expects to remain hospitalized for the next two to seven days and hopes to be be back to work at the CHRB office in Sacramento within two weeks.

"I have been undergoing chemotherapy for the past year for a tumor in my spleen, but it was determined that the spleen had actually been blocking the chemotherapy from working. After a year, I just got overloaded with toxins from the chemo and (the spleen) needed to be removed," said the 72-year-old Breed.

The Oklahoma native said he underwent several days of dialysis to detoxify his system before the operation. He is doing physical therapy to help regain his strength.

Breed, a former horse racing lobbyist and onetime general manager of the California Exposition and State Fair, was appointed executive director of the CHRB in February 2008.
 

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