Sen. Sharon Runner is being released from the hospital less than two weeks after receiving a new set of lungs.
Runner's office announced on Feb. 24 that the Lancaster Republican had received a double lung transplant and was recovering at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Runner, who was elected to the Senate in a 2011 special election, has suffered for years from a rare autoimmune condition called limited scleroderma.
While Runner said at the time of her campaign that her condition had improved, infections related to the disease landed her back on the transplant list and prevented her from returning to the Capitol this year.
In addition to praising the work of her doctors and surgeons, Runner thanked the family of her anonymous organ donor in a statement released by her office.
"Without this person's generosity, I would not be able to continue my community activism and public service," she said. "This person's family and friends will always be in my prayers."
Dr. David Ross, medical director of the hospital's Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program, said in a statement released by the office that Runner's "new lungs will enable her to resume normal activities and responsibilities soon."
Her office said she is expected to receive pulmonary rehabilitation treatments in the coming weeks and return to Sacramento by late spring.
Runner announced late last month that she will not run for re-election this year. Assemblyman Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, is expected to run for the open seat.
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