Schlossberg Siblings Unite for Sister's Stem Cell Transplant and Cancer Battle

While Tatiana Schlossberg received stem cell therapy in her fight against a terminal cancer diagnosis, her brother and sister quickly mobilized to offer support.

In a New Yorker essay published on Saturday, November 22, Tatiana, 35, revealed, “My older sister, Rose Schlossberg, was found to be a compatible donor and prepared to contribute her stem cells.” She added, “Even though my brother [Jack Schlossberg] was only a partial match, he persistently inquired with every physician if a half-match might still offer an advantage, purely as a precaution.”

The Schlossberg siblings are the trio of offspring from Caroline Kennedy — herself the daughter of the revered late John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — and Edwin Schlossberg.

Tatiana learned of her acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis in 2024, a short time after welcoming her second child into the world. (Tatiana and her husband, George Moran, celebrated the birth of their son in 2022 and their daughter in 2024.)

Caroline Kennedy’s Daughter, Tatiana, 35, Faces Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

Following discussions with her medical team, Tatiana was informed of a rare mutation in her blood cells, leading to a prognosis of approximately one year to live.

She detailed, “A conventional treatment regimen would not be sufficient for a cure. I would require at least several months of chemotherapy, designed to decrease the number of blast cells within my bone marrow,” she elaborated in her The New Yorker essay, “A Battle With My Blood.” “Subsequently, a bone-marrow transplant would be necessary, holding the potential for a cure. Post-transplant, further chemotherapy would likely be administered regularly, aiming to prevent a relapse of the cancer.”

Beyond the stem cell therapy involving Rose’s contribution, Tatiana also participated in a pair of clinical trials.

“For several hours, my sister kept her arms extended while medical staff extracted blood from one arm, harvested and cryopreserved her stem cells, and then returned the blood to the other,” Tatiana recounted regarding Rose’s procedure. “The cells emitted an odor reminiscent of canned tomato soup. Upon commencement of the transfusion, I experienced a dozen sneezes and vomiting.”

She further stated, “Afterward, I endured a period of waiting — for my blood cell counts to stabilize, for my sister’s donated cells to integrate and transform my system. We mused about whether I might inherit her banana allergy or even her distinct personality traits. My hair began to shed, prompting me to wear scarves to conceal my scalp, and each time I donned one, I would self-consciously recall how magnificent my hair once was.”

During Tatiana’s hospitalization, supported by Moran, other family members assisted with childcare for their young ones.

“My parents, alongside my brother and sister, have been instrumental in caring for my children and have been present in my numerous hospital rooms almost daily for the past eighteen months,” Tatiana penned. “They have steadfastly held my hand through my suffering, making an effort to mask their own anguish and sorrow to shield me from it. This has been an immense blessing, despite the fact that I sense their pain daily.”

Jack Schlossberg, Brother of Tatiana, Comments on Sister’s Terminal Cancer

She proceeded, “I have now introduced another tragedy into her life, into our family’s existence, and I am powerless to prevent it.”

Following the publication of Tatiana’s essay, her family has remained a constant source of support. Jack, 32, shared links to the piece on his Instagram, and their cousin, Maria Shriver, similarly extended her solidarity.

“Tatiana embodies grace as a writer, journalist, spouse, mother, daughter, sister, and companion. This article details her experiences over the past eighteen months,” Shriver, 70, communicated through her Instagram, in direct response to the New Yorker narrative. “It stands as a tribute to the dedicated doctors and nurses who tirelessly serve on the front lines of human care. It encompasses so much, yet it’s best experienced firsthand to be profoundly moved by one woman’s personal journey. And may it serve as a poignant reminder to appreciate the life you are living today, in this precise moment.”