Todd Hardy, the recently diagnosed leukemia patient and NDP leader, says he is still planning to run in the pending territorial election.

'My love and passion is the Yukon,' Hardy told local reporters Tuesday afternoon by telephone from St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver.

'I find it inspires me. In the weirdest sense, I am more inspired to be involved at that level and engaged in an election.'

Hardy, 49, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the type most commonly found in children. Only 20 per cent of the cases are found in adults, usually over the age of 50.

The NDP leader was diagnosed with leukemia on Tuesday of last week after having felt ill for several weeks. He was medevaced to Vancouver the next day.

When Hardy was first transferred, his blood cell counts were extremely out of whack with his white cells at 159, when they should normally be at 11. His red cells were down to 59 when normal levels are approximately 140.

He has already gone through his first round of chemotherapy, which included three days of pills followed by three days' intravenous treatment.

He is now on a three-day break before starting the next round.

The NDP leader has also received several blood transfusions.

'There's room now for the good white cells to grow,' said Hardy.

The doctor's initial aggressive attack on the cancer cells will continue for approximately 20 days.

Hardy said the doctors have told him he is responding tremendously well to the treatment so far and is already considered to be going into remission.

After spending several days in isolation, Hardy was given a day pass yesterday and permitted to go for a walk outside the hospital.

'They are actually really quite good at remission. They can get people into remission. It's the cure that's the tricky part,' he said.

'They are not after remission, because they are already getting remission with me this quickly. They are after a cure with me.'

Hardy is scheduled to have a second bone biopsy on Saturday to confirm his body is responding to the treatment as well as the blood analysis is currently showing.

The doctors will also then be able to identify the subtype of leukemia he has to create an individual treatment plan.

Continued chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant are the likely two options, said Hardy. The type of leukemia is highly treatable, he said. It has a 20 to 75 per cent survival rate.

'They've made great strides in dealing with leukemia,' he said. 'Most people recognize leukemia used to be basically a death word, but it's come a long, long ways.'

Hardy has been amazed by the outpouring of support and compassion from Yukoners.

Former NDP government leader Tony Penikett has visited him in the hospital and federal NDP Leader Jack Layton has called him.

Several Yukoners currently in Vancouver have also stopped by to see him, he said.

'It's hard for myself and (wife) Louise, for us to, I guess to be on the receiving end of such generosity and caring,' said Hardy.

'Our life has really been geared around giving and to have all of a sudden to be switched into the position where you're the one being helped, it's quite humbling, and not an easy thing to do when you've always been able to give, to be the one that now receives.'

But Hardy said the whole experience has left him with a deeper passion to serve people.

'It just makes me want to give more to the people who over the last six days have already given so much to me and my family,' he said. 'The absolute reward is giving. I realize that more profoundly than ever before.'

Hardy said he would prefer to have a bit more time to regain his strength before Premier Dennis Fentie calls the election. He must do so by November. Hardy added he has not spoken with the premier, a former NDP caucus mate.

'My hope is that I'll be there and we'll be going into an election well ready to present our platform and views and ideas.'

Hardy said he doesn't believe his role in the party has changed with his absence.

The caucus and executive are carrying on their work, the election planning committee is still meeting and candidates continue to come forward, he said.

'Frankly, it's just like I'm doing most of my work as a leader from a phone basis instead of driving around.'

He added he hopes his time as leader of the party, a position he has held since 2002, has shown Yukoners the kind of person he is.

'I really don't think I can do that much more to show people what kind of leader I would be and who I am. It doesn't matter what happens in those 30 days. I've put everything on the line for 3 1/2 years as leader and I think the people of the Yukon are very fair in that regards.

'I think the people already know what I stand for,' he said.

The doctors haven't been telling him to slow down and take a break from politics, said Hardy.

'They kind of chuckle at me,' he said. 'I think they like to see that zest for life. I think what worries them more than anything else is when someone comes in here and they become very despondent.'

And it is Hardy who knows what is best for himself and what he is able to handle, said acting party leader Steve Cardiff.

'If he wants to participate fully, all the more power to him. I welcome it. Lorraine (Peter) welcomes it. We value his leadership and we operate as a team and that's the way we're going to continue to operate.'

Louise Hardy, the NDP leader's oldest daughter, Janelle, and granddaughter Ellazora are with him in Vancouver. The family is working on arrangements for his other three grown offspring, Tytus, Tess and Lymond, to visit as well as Hardy's mother and some other members of his family.

'My heart and soul are up there and I'm dying to come back,' he said.