Casey DeSantis Makes First Appearance Since Breast Cancer Diagnosis: 'I'm Sure as Hell Not Giving Up'

Executive Office of the Governor, State of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Casey DeSantis

Florida's First Lady Casey DeSantis made her first public appearance since the announcement of her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this month.

Introduced at the Hernando County Republican Party Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner by her husband, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Casey took the stage Saturday to a standing ovation by supporters.

"I don't want to start tearing up because I didn't put on waterproof mascara," Casey, 41, said before sharing a message of strength.

"There's a lot that we can be upset about, that we be sad about — the direction of our country, the future of our nation, our families, our communities, our safety, our children, their education, their futures, our health and our well being," she continued. "I'll tell you one thing that is for sure. I'm sure as hell not giving up."

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"When you know in your heart what is right, never, ever, ever give up the fight. Ever," she added.

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Gov. DeSantis — who recently downplayed speculation about a 2024 presidential campaign — had called his wife "the most important person who has stood by me" and said she is doing "very, very well," since his office announced her diagnosis, calling it the "most difficult test of her life."

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The governor and his wife have four young children together: daughters Madison, 4, and Mamie, 18 months, who was born while her father was in office, as well as a son, Mason, 3.

"I am so proud of Casey for her strength and courage as she stares down breast cancer," DeSantis, 43, said Monday in a tweet that includes video of her remarks. "What an inspirational message!"

Casey thanked the crowd for their support — "Gosh, it means a whole lot," she said — at the event over the weekend. She also praised her husband as "the kindest, most courageous person I have ever met in my life" and said she would steal some of his words by saying, "I have only begun to fight."