RUFUS – Former Jesstopian Vice President Richard Banks has died at the age of 53. His family has confirmed that he had been silently battling his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, which was announced last month. Banks’ family said that they are “absolutely heartbroken” at his death.

Vice President Banks served under President John McCallum from 2020 until 2022, and during his time advocated for more cancer research on cancers including Pancreatic, Liver and Prostate cancers. His work with the Jesstopian cancer institute, was the start of his work with fellow former Vice President Sam Simon. He advocated for more aggressive research to help find a cure for cancer that kills 100,000 Jesstopians each year.

His work never went unnoticed, and his efforts to fund more cancer research has spread across the United States Of Jesstopia and Cambridge. As his health began deteriorating rapidly, he vowed to support cancer research until he drew his last breath.

“I think what lifted him up the most, was the though of their one day being a cancer cure,” said his Granddaughter Tianna. “That lifted his spirits, and god was the other thing that got him up everyday. His lasting legacy will forever be remembered. I will miss him everyday until my last day.”

Several prominent figures issued a message of support for the Banks family including President Laylin, former President John McCallum, former Vice President Travis Loretti, House Representatives Braden Harris, Evan Rancourt, House Speaker Burmaster and House Minority Leader Gregory Harks.

“It is absolutely devastating that a man such as former Vice President who fought a courageous fight with the very disease he spend much of his life working to end,” said House Speaker Nolan Burmaster. “His life long dedication to finding a cure for cancer never left him. He remained true to finding a cure for cancer, long before he was diagnosed with the disease last month. May he forever rest in lasting peace.”

Former President John McCallum offered a lifting message for the Banks’ family for the man who once served as his second in command.

“Richard’s life can be summed up perfectly,” said former President McCallum. “While his path in office didn’t go they way he wanted, his dedication to public service and his pursuit for a cancer cure, never wavered, and that is the thing I admire most. To his family, I can’t express how much your father was loved by the people who knew him, and the people that interacted with him daily. He loved each and everyone of your dearly and him and I would reminisce on the old days and the life we’ve led. In every discussion, he’d bring up family, time and time again. As his body began to fail, he looked to god more and more and his faith was stronger than his body was. He loved you and be comforted in knowing that he was ready to go, but was extremely proud of his family. May he rest in eternal peace.”

House Minority Leader Gregory Harks issued the following message to his personal X account, following the announcement of Richard Bank’s death.

“A pioneer of cancer research taken from the world of cancer research to soon. RIP.” his tweet read.

Other lawmakers are joining in a moment of prayer for the former Vice President. Several others issued messages of support, offering the prayers to the Banks family, who just last year lost the matriarch to Liver cancer last in May.

“Vice President Richard Banks exemplified what it meant to serve and continue to serve long after his service to the nation,” said Representative Braden Harris. “He served until his dying breath, and for that, the cancer research community lost a true man of god.”

Former Vice President Travis Loretti called him the most influential figure in the cancer research field.

“He was truly the most influential figure of the cancer research field,” said former Vice President Travis Loretti. “May he forever rest with his lord, Jesus Christ. May his work in finding a cure for cancer, never fade away.”

Representative Evan Rancourt issued a touching tribute to the late former Vice President, regarding his influence on his life of public service and the friendship they shared.

“Ever since I was a kid, I looked up to former VP Banks, and now, that his death has been announced, I am at a loss for words. The world lost a true messenger of god, and the man who devoted his soul to trying to find a cure for cancer, the disease that has now taken his life.”

The Banks family says that they are trying to navigate this trying time, and have asked for privacy for the “time being,” as they “navigate the next steps in this unimaginable journey with their dad, grandfather, son and brother.”

As a former Vice President, he is entitled to a full state funeral which would be held at the Jesstopian Capitol Building, but no official word if the family would sign off on a full-scale state funeral.