Back in the late summer, I started reading about the 27-year old controversial British reality tv celeb Jade Goody and her battle with cervical cancer. Apparently at the time of the discovery, Jade's staging was rather advanced. It is predicted that she has several more months to live.
Jade Goody's personal struggle is making international headlines because she is playing out end-of-life in front of the cameras. The New York Times wrote about it; Newsweek has featured it too. Now, diagnosed as terminal, Jade has chosen to televise the remainder of her life -- her deterioration, her marriage this Sunday -- in the hopes of building a more financially stable future for her two young children while raising awareness about cervical cancer.
I've read some of the reactions to Jade's public display of her bout with cancer. Naturally, there are supporters and critics. Apparently, Jade had a tabloid trash-talking reputation that preceded her cancer. She was not the kind of girl one takes home to mother -- but neither am I all the time -- that's just plain boring and anyway, what does that really mean? Some witnesses hold onto their grudge; others, more sympathetic, allow cancer to be the great neutralizer.
As long as TV isn't channelled involuntarily into our homes and minds, I welcome inventive programming. No one has to watch. I am a curious and compassionate non-obsessed viewer who gets to confront my own immortality when I am tuning in. Her battle is humbling as well, and makes me feel fortunate for my health and the health of those I love.
Find Jade on You Tube or click here to read Jade's story as reported by The Times.
