Rebecca Wilcox, the daughter of Dame Esther Rantzen, has shared a heartbreaking health update about her mother, who was receiving new medication to help her.
Dame Esther Rantzen is no longer responding to her medication, her daughter revealed. The veteran broadcaster, campaigner and journalist is battling terminal lung cancer. Initially, Dame Esther found a lump under her armpit after feeling tired over the Christmas period in December 2022. Just weeks later, a biopsy confirmed she had stage four cancer.
Since her diagnosis, Dame Esther, 84, has spoken openly about the Assisted Dying Bill, which is currently being debated by Parliament. However, the law could take several years to be implemented due to additional safeguarding being put in place as the bill continues to go through the MPs. Meanwhile, Dame Esther has even shared her views on dying at Dignitas, due to assisted dying currently being illegal in the United Kingdom.
However, Dame Esther is aware that her family might suffer repercussions if she did visit Switzerland. If I go, my family might face charges, she previously said.
Rebecca Wilcox, Dame Esther’s daughter, recently shared a heartbreaking health update in a new interview. When Dame Esther was questioned about a new medication that was initially thought to be able to improve her condition, Rebecca explained that this was untrue. She continued, “I really wish that was true,” adding, “I don’t believe that’s the case any longer,” she told 5 News.
Rebecca has previously spoken about the heart-wrenching possibility of facing prosecution for accompanying her mother, to the assisted dying clinic in Switzerland.
Rebecca recalled her mother’s words in a personal interview with Hello!: “My mother said that she lost her mother, her husband, and her dog within a very short time, and that the dog had the most wonderful death, while the others didn’t.”
In response to the grim reality, Rebecca expressed hope that the trip to Dignitas won’t be imminent, but she also acknowledged the legal ramifications: “We’re just hoping that flight to Dignitas won’t have to happen any time soon. I’m not sure if I would choose to go with her because it would be so difficult to defend myself from a possible charge of infidelity.
She continued, “But letting her go alone would be a very strange version of me.”
In December, TV presenter Angela Rippon, a close friend of Dame Esther, also revealed that Dame Esther felt “relieved” when her assisted dying bill received support from Parliament.
By 330 votes to 275, the proposal to end a terminally ill person’s life was defeated. Dame Esther, who has lung cancer, revealed last year that she had joined Dignitas, a Swiss assisted dying facility.
Angela, 80, and Esther, both of whom have been friends for more than 30 years, still speak on the phone frequently. Angela praised her as “an amazing person.” She has used her platform to effect change throughout her entire life. She has done everything, including Silver Line, Childline, and many others. She has now used that influence and power that she has because it is so deeply personal to her. She has once more done it.
She is thrilled about what transpired, I believe. She seems happy and relieved, in my opinion. Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, has expressed her desire to end her life when her quality of life declines. The bill was introduced as a result of her tireless campaigning on the subject.
Angela continued, “Esther has made a big impact, but she has always had her life,” at the Television and Radio Club Christmas lunch. She has lived her entire life and has been a source of inspiration for many people.
And I believe she values this very highly. The wonderful thing about Esther is that when she starts a campaign, she finds that thousands of people will support her and join her.
And I think that every single thing she has done, whether it was for Leadbeater, Silverline, or now, is one of those instances where she has played a significant role in a campaign, and I think that’s absolutely brilliant.
People living with cancer and their loved ones can receive private support from The Macmillan Support Line. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
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