Tatiana Schlossberg Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis at 34

Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy, has shared the devastating news of her terminal cancer diagnosis, revealing that she may have only about a year to live. This announcement came in a poignant essay published in The New Yorker on November 22, 2024, which marked the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather’s assassination.

Schlossberg, aged 34, disclosed that she received her diagnosis in May 2024. Routine medical tests following the birth of her second child indicated an unusually high white blood cell count. Subsequent examinations confirmed that she is battling acute myeloid leukaemia, a serious blood cancer that typically affects older adults and is characterized by a rare mutation present in her case.

In her essay, Schlossberg, who works as an environmental journalist, detailed her arduous journey through treatment. She has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants—one using cells from her sister and another from an unrelated donor. Additionally, she has participated in various clinical trials, during which a doctor informed her, “he could keep me alive for a year, maybe.”

Concerns Over Health Policies

The essay also reflects Schlossberg’s concerns regarding health policies endorsed by her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. She voiced apprehension that these policies could adversely affect cancer patients like herself. “As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly a half billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines, technology that could be used against certain cancers,” she wrote.

Her mother, Caroline Kennedy, has publicly urged senators to oppose her cousin’s confirmation, highlighting the familial divide on health policy.

Schlossberg’s emotional battle with her diagnosis is palpable in her essay. She expressed deep fears that her young children may not retain memories of her as they grow older. The thought of leaving behind “the wonderful life” she shares with her husband, George Moran, weighs heavily on her heart.

She also noted the emotional toll on her family, stating that while her parents and siblings attempted to conceal their pain, she felt their anguish daily. “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 reflected. “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.”

Schlossberg’s heartfelt essay not only sheds light on her personal struggles but also raises significant questions about health policies that could impact many others facing similar battles. The intersection of her family’s legacy and her current health crisis encapsulates a profound narrative that resonates beyond her personal experience.