Apple CEO Steve Jobs Goes Public On Health Issues; Will Remain CEO

By Ken Kerschbaumer

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today announced that he will continue in his role
while recovering from a series of treatments to address a hormonal
imbalance that has led to his weight loss (and has been the fodder for
numerous rumors as to his health).

Herewith his Jobs’ complete statement:

“For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday
season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld
keynote.

“Unfortunately, my decision to have [Apple’s senior VP of Worldwide
Product Marketing, Phil Schiller], deliver the Macworld keynote set off
another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing
stories of me on my deathbed.

“I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

“As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The
reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I
decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed
to become my #1 priority.

“Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found
the cause — a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the
proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have
confirmed this diagnosis.

“The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and
straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I
didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my
doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I
will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

“I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I
will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I
can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the
Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will
always put what is best for Apple first.

“So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.”

The Apple Board of Directors also issued a statement:

“It is widely recognized both inside and outside of Apple that Steve
Jobs is one of the most talented and effective CEOs in the world.

“As we have said before, if there ever comes a day when Steve wants to
retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as
Apple’s CEO, you will know it.

“Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he
deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation.
He most certainly has that from Apple and its Board.”