As reported on NPR, Tatiana Schlossberg, journalist and granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has disclosed that she is battling a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. In an essay titled “A Battle with My Blood” published by The New Yorker on the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather’s assassination, Schlossberg shared her experience with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its devastating impact.
About the Diagnosis
Schlossberg, 35, learned of her condition shortly after giving birth to her second child. The specific subtype, AML with inversion 3, is an uncommon genetic mutation typically seen in older patients. Experts describe this variant as highly aggressive, with limited treatment options and poor long-term survival rates.
Dr. Clark Alsfeld, a hematology-oncology specialist at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, explains:
“This mutation is among the most challenging to treat. Achieving remission is difficult, and outcomes are generally worse compared to other AML types.”
Schlossberg underwent intensive therapy, including stem cell transplantation, but noted that her disease has not entered lasting remission.
What Causes AML?
AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow characterized by rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells. While its exact cause remains unclear, it often develops suddenly rather than lingering for years. Schlossberg reported feeling healthy prior to diagnosis, even swimming a mile the day before her blood tests revealed the illness.
Personal and Broader Reflections
In her essay, Schlossberg candidly describes the physical and emotional toll of the disease, as well as the strain on her family. She also criticized her cousin, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for his history of vaccine skepticism and opposition to medical research funding—issues she says undermine trust in the healthcare system.
Medical professionals hope Schlossberg’s story will raise awareness and encourage renewed support for cancer research, particularly after recent federal funding cuts.
