NDP Leader Todd Hardy has been diagnosed with leukemia.

The news came in a press release issued late last night by the NDP on behalf of the party's caucus and the Hardy family.

Hardy, 49, received the news from his physician on Tuesday after several weeks of feeling ill, Steve Cardiff, who is taking on the duties as the acting leader of the NDP caucus, told the Star today.

Hardy was medivaced to Vancouver Wednesday afternoon to receive more information about the severity of the illness and treatment options.

'There's no doubt that news like this is pretty shocking,' said Cardiff. 'But this is by no means a death sentence. It is possible to get through this.'

Cardiff said the caucus has heard from Hardy twice since he left for St. Paul's Hospital. His attitude is upbeat and positive, said Cardiff.

'He's clear with on intentions. He's going to fight this and he's going to continue to do his job.'

Hardy currently intends to maintain his position as the MLA for Whitehorse Centre and will continue to be the NDP's leader, a position he has held since 2002.

He also still plans to run in the territorial election, said Cardiff. Premier Dennis Fentie must drop the writ by November.

'There's an organization here,' said Cardiff, 'and we'll deal with these issues. We've been getting ready for an election for a long time.

'The important thing right now is Todd. He's shown a lot of leadership.'

Hardy takes his responsibilities as party leader very seriously, said Piers McDonald, the NDP's former leader who Hardy served under from 1996 until 2000.

'He's likely very anxious about that right now, but he needs to do what he needs to do, which is overcome this,' McDonald said in an interview.

The party will step up to fill in any gaps to allow Hardy to reduce stress and get the rest and treatment he needs, said McDonald.

'People will pull together on the homefront,' he said.

Hardy's family, staff and caucus are fully behind him right now, agreed Cardiff.

'Anybody that knows Todd Hardy knows he's a very active, healthy kind of guy. He's a strong kind of guy. He's got a lot of courage.'

Hardy's commitment to a healthy lifestyle and fitness makes it that much more of a shock, said McDonald, but will likely provide him added strength to go forward.

Hardy has lived in the Yukon since his teens and is active in karate and hockey.

A journeyman carpenter by trade, Hardy is a former business agent for local unions. He has also sat as a board member of Yukon College, the Yukon Energy Corp. and the Yukon Development Corp. and volunteered with the Council of Canadians and Habitat for Humanity.

Hardy, along with the NDP, hosted several town hall meetings during the current mandate. They have been recognized for the vital role they played in the passing of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods legislation earlier this year. The law is aimed at shutting down drug houses and addressing substance abuse in the territory.

Hardy's always been a fighter and a strong voice for 'the underdogs,' said Cardiff.

'Maybe he's a little bit of an underdog now.'

'He brings a kind of honesty and sincerity to politics which are sometimes a rare commodity in political life,' said McDonald.

'I've known him a long time,' said Fentie, who previously served with Hardy in the NDP.

'I have a great deal of respect for Todd, as a man and as a politician,' he told the Star this afternoon

The premier said he was shocked and dismayed to hear the news of Hardy's illness this morning.

'This is a very difficult situation for Todd and for his family,' said Fentie.

'Our thoughts must go to them, and the government certainly wants to extend to Todd our thoughts and support and condolences.'

Hardy is an individual of principle and integrity, said Fentie.

'You always know where Todd Hardy stands.'

Politics really is all about people, said Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell.

It's always terrible news to hear of a colleague who's fallen ill, he added.

'But he's a fit and strong person. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and (wife) Louise and his family,' said Mitchell.

Hardy first ran for political office in the October 1996 election. He was narrowly defeated by then-Liberal Mike McLarnon in the 2000 vote when the Liberals swept to power, taking every seat in Whitehorse.

Hardy regained the Whitehorse Centre seat with an 82-vote margin in 2002.

Hardy's wife of 28 years, Louise, served as the Yukon's NDP Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2000. They have four grown children, Janelle, Tytus, Tess and Lymond, and one grandchild, Ellazora.

'Being in politics is one of the most rewarding experiences in your life,' Hardy has previously told the Star.

'The rewards are sometimes small. The victories are sometimes very small.

'But you can help somebody.'