BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- First 5 Kern's executive director has stepped down temporarily after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Wendy Wayne was hired during the summer of 2007 to head First 5 Kern.

The organization distributes state tobacco tax money to children's health care.

Wayne is on a leave of absence while she undergoes chemotherapy.

Day-to-day operations of First 5 will be delegated while she is gone.