Senator Ted Kennedy

Senator Ted Kennedy has lost his battle with brain cancer. He died just before midnight, Tuesday, August 25, 2009, in his home located in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Senator Kennedy was 77.

On this day of Ted Kennedy’s passing, I don’t want to take away from the stories of his life and accomplishments. But – since my focus is lung cancer and empowering survivors – I had to share a story I am not seeing in the headlines.

Ted Kennedy was a lung cancer advocate.

Kara Kennedy Allen, 49, Ted Kennedy’s only daughter, was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in late 2002. At the time she was only 42 years old, and the mother of two young children. Most of us have heard about his family’s struggle with cancer, but his role in being an advocate for his daughter with lung cancer is heartwarming.

Sitting with his daughter in 2002, Ted Kennedy found her diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer – a diagnosis that counts survival rate in months rather than years – unacceptable. So he took matters into his own hands. He researched the disease, researched doctors, and eventually found a surgeon he could put his faith in to remove Kara’s tumor. Dr. David. J. Sugarbaker, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, was able to remove her cancer, and following chemotherapy, she is still with us today.

Ted Kennedy’ support went beyond being his daughter’s patient advocate. He encouraged his daughter in her faith and prayed for her every day.

I am unaware of the stage of Kara’s lung cancer. Surgery is not an option for everyone, and despite our best efforts, most people diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer do not survive as long as Kara. But, at least in Kara’s case, not accepting a first opinion, and being a participant in rather than a recipient of healthcare, was important.

Today, as we mourn Ted Kennedy’s passing, I am grateful for this part of his life that may not make the headlines, but perhaps made all the difference in his daughter’s life. At the same time, my heart goes out to those who don’t have a father like Ted Kennedy to play their advocate.