Tatiana Schlossberg, a granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, faces a heartbreaking reality: a terminal cancer diagnosis with less than a year to live. The revelation came just after the joy of welcoming her daughter into the world, a cruel juxtaposition that has profoundly shaped her perspective.
Diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in May 2024, Schlossberg, an environmental journalist, documented her ordeal in a deeply personal essay for the New Yorker, published on the somber anniversary of her grandfather’s assassination. A routine hospital visit revealed a “strange” white blood cell count, leading to the devastating news.
Doctors offered a stark prognosis, estimating a potential year of life through a clinical trial. But beyond the ticking clock, Schlossberg grapples with a more profound loss – the fear of fading from her children’s memories. Her son’s recollections may blur with time, and her daughter may not truly know the mother she lost.
The illness has stolen precious moments. Unable to fully participate in her newborn daughter’s care due to the risk of infection, Schlossberg spent nearly half of her daughter’s first year absent, questioning the nature of their bond. The simple acts of motherhood – changing a diaper, giving a bath – remained tragically out of reach.
Schlossberg is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, and sister to Jack and Rose Kennedy Schlossberg. A graduate of Yale and Oxford, she dedicated her career to environmental journalism, authoring “Inconspicuous Consumption” and contributing to publications like The New York Times.
Her New Yorker piece also contains a pointed critique of her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as US Secretary of Health and Human Services. She expresses deep concern over his long-held skepticism towards vaccines, fearing the implications for immunocompromised individuals like herself and millions of others.
Schlossberg recalls her uncle’s past statements dismissing vaccine safety and effectiveness, contrasting them with the historical devastation caused by diseases like polio before widespread vaccination. She worries about the potential rollback of vital public health measures.
Her concerns extend to Kennedy Jr.’s actions within his current role, specifically citing cuts to funding for mRNA vaccine research and substantial reductions to the National Institutes of Health. These cuts, she fears, threaten the very research that offered her a glimmer of hope for remission.
The article details a chilling instance where a life-saving medication, misoprostol, used to control postpartum hemorrhage, was potentially jeopardized by her uncle’s “review” of medication abortion access. The thought of that vital treatment being unavailable fills her with dread.
Myeloid leukemia, the cancer that grips Schlossberg, is a disease of the blood and bone marrow. It occurs when abnormal white blood cells proliferate, crowding out healthy cells and leading to symptoms like fatigue, fever, easy bruising, and breathlessness. It is more commonly diagnosed in older adults, but can affect anyone.
Beyond the medical details, Schlossberg’s story is a poignant reflection on life, loss, and the enduring power of family. It’s a testament to the strength required to face mortality with honesty and a fierce love for those left behind.
