Steven Kirsch, founder of anti-spam startup Abaca, has been diagnosed with blood cancer.

The New York Times reports that Mr. Kirsch, a serial entrepreneur, has been diagnosed with an incurable form of blood cancer, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. The story notes that many patients manage the illness beyond the five to seven years that doctors typically give them.

Kirsch's most recent venture is Abaca, which makes an anti-spam appliance that uses a unique filtering method based on the receiver's reputation.

According to the Times story, Mr. Kirsch is taking the diagnosis in stride: of the current projects on his personal Web page, surviving cancer is listed third. Fighting spam and figuring out who would make the best president are first and second.

I'd like to wish Mr. Kirsch and his family all the best during this difficult time.