Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy, shared the heartbreaking news of her terminal cancer diagnosis in a deeply personal essay published in 'The New Yorker'. The 34-year-old environmental journalist revealed she has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer typically seen in older individuals, with a prognosis of around one year to live as per her doctor's assessment.
Her disclosure comes during a particularly poignant moment, coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather’s assassination. In her essay, Schlossberg elaborates on the extensive treatments she has undergone, including rounds of chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, the latter involving cells from both her sister and an unrelated donor. Furthermore, she has participated in clinical trials, reflecting her hope for advancements in cancer treatment.
Notably, Schlossberg raised concerns regarding healthcare policies supported by her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, asserting that these could significantly harm cancer patients like herself. She expressed feelings of betrayal as she watched him cut nearly half a billion dollars in funding for essential research into mRNA vaccine technology, which she believes offers potential solutions for various cancers.
In her heartfelt reflections, Schlossberg poignantly considers the impact of her diagnosis on her two young children, sharing her fears about them not remembering her and the deep sadness she feels for the life she may miss with her husband, George Moran. Meanwhile, she acknowledges the pain her parents and siblings are also enduring but notes their efforts to shield her from their grief.
Schlossberg's narrative serves a dual purpose, framing her personal battle with cancer against the backdrop of critical discussions around public health, policy-making, and the emotional ramifications for families affected by terminal illnesses.
“For my whole life, I have tried to be good, to be a good student and a good sister and a good daughter, and to protect my mother and never make her upset or angry,” she expressed. “Now I have added a new tragedy to her life, to our family’s life, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”
