(Photo Credit: CBS News)

UPDATE – Tatiana Schlossberg, an environmental journalist who was a granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, died Tuesday, December 30, 2025, her family announced. She was 35. The story below was posted on November 24, 2025. The family received in late November an expedited registered package containing beautiful Bible verses about the good news of Jesus Christ and eternal life through Him, along with explanations. We are praying for her grieving family.

Tatiana Schlossberg, the 35-year-old granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy and daughter of Caroline Kennedy, recently revealed that she is battling terminal acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a form of which is especially difficult to treat. The shocking and totally unexpected diagnosis came shortly after the birth of her second child in May 2024, when routine bloodwork, just ten minutes after the delivery, revealed an alarmingly high white blood cell count.

Her story has drawn widespread attention — not only because of her family’s public legacy, but also because of the profound honesty with which she has shared her experience.

Tatiana thought she was a very healthy mother giving birth to her second child. Only a day before giving birth, she felt strong and healthy enough to swim a full mile — something she mentioned in her own New Yorker essay. But in the months that followed, she endured an extraordinarily demanding course of treatment: chemotherapy, two stem-cell transplants, and participation in leading-edge clinical trials, including CAR-T therapy. Yet despite the intensity of these efforts, her doctor told her he could “keep her alive for a year, maybe.”

In the midst of these challenges, Tatiana has spoken openly about how the illness has weakened her physically and altered almost every part of her daily life. At one point, she had to relearn to walk, as her muscles had wasted significantly during treatment. Her candid reflections have given the public a rare and profoundly moving window into the reality of facing mortality at a young age — the love she carries for her children, the range and complexity of her fears and anxieties, and the search for meaning in the shadow of death.

It is into this very human and deeply vulnerable moment that we write. Our purpose is not to offer platitudes or promote religion, but to share something eternally solid — the unchanging promises of the Word of God concerning eternal life, forgiveness, and the absolute assurance one can have of a home in Heaven.

Making direct personal contact may not be possible, but our prayer is that these “online” words of hope from the Scriptures will reach Tatiana Schlossberg and be a rich blessing to her and her family. If you are a Christian reading this, we invite you to pray along with us for Tatiana and her family.

Open Letter to Tatiana Schlossberg

You Can Be Sure of Heaven!

Like the rest of the world, I was shocked to learn of your battle with terminal acute myeloid leukemia. Along with many others, I will be praying for you and your family. Many years ago, as a young Canadian kid, I wrote a letter to your mother, Caroline Kennedy. Yes, we still have Kennedy memorabilia in our home, and yes, as a young family, we even made a summer trek to Hyannisport to see the Kennedy compound from a distance.

I do not write with medical expertise or because I have walked this same path. I write because I want to share with you truth from the Bible—truth that could become profoundly meaningful in the days ahead. Truth that could become, for you, an inner island of tranquillity, a steady anchor through this storm.

Yes, I am a Christian, but let me assure you up front that too much of what goes on under the name of Christianity — whether it’s politics or scandals — is not something that helps the wonderful cause of Christ in our world. Often, we, along with many other Christians, are deeply pained by what we hear and see. Can I urge you not to turn away from the Christ of the Scriptures because of the behaviour of some who claim to represent Him?

I am writing you about existential matters of a spiritual nature.

Many people live their lives with a vague hope or assumption that their chances of reaching Heaven are “as good as, or even better than others.” But the Bible is clear: that is not how it works. I would like to share with you Bible verses that are authoritative and directional.

There Is an AfterLife

In the context of cherishing family memories, you recently wrote in The New Yorker:

"But since I don't know what death is like and there's no one to tell me what comes after it, I'll keep pretending. I will keep trying to remember…"

The Lord Jesus did speak —clearly and often—about what comes after death. He presented only two possible destinies. And the Gospel of John, in particular, points every reader to Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

“…these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

If reading is difficult right now, you can watch an excellent word-for-word dramatization of the Gospel of John (2003) at this link on our website: The Life and Words of Jesus

Relationship — Not Religion

Jesus clearly said before His death and resurrection that eternal life is a personal relationship one experiences and enjoys. In prayer to His Father, Jesus said:

“This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3

Many people know about Jesus, but far fewer know Him personally. I know about you, Tatiana, and your family, but I do not have a relationship with any of you. There is a great difference.

I have enjoyed a personal relationship with Christ for more than 50 years. Like every other Christian, I have a personal, precious, and memorable moment when Christ became precious to me. I am absolutely sure of Heaven — not because of what I do for Him, but what He did for me when He lovingly died for my sins. The church I attend, the rites and rituals I may follow, have nothing to do with my getting to Heaven. My solid foundation is Christ alone.

The One Way to God, the Father

In moments like these, Tatiana, you do not need religion, churches or rituals. You need clarity. Before going to the Cross to die for our sins, Jesus addressed a question from His disciple Thomas:

“Lord … how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:5-6

Christ alone bridges the distance between God and all of us —the distance that sin caused for everyone without exception. The Bible says that Jesus is the one and only mediator. He is uniquely qualified to be the exclusive bridge because He took our sins on Himself and died for them.

“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree [cross]…” 1 Peter 2:24

For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:5-6

How straightforward the way to God is! Religion has muddied the waters and convoluted the way, so much so that people wonder if anyone can be sure of the right way to God.

The Apostle Peter clearly stated that one can be brought safely to God for full acceptance through Christ alone. He put it this way:

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. 1 Peter 3:18

It is wonderfully simple—but religion has sadly and wrongly made it complicated and confusing

The Beauty and Simplicity of Grace

Too many think that safety, security, and happiness in the afterlife depend on their own performance in this life.

When people think about the afterlife, they wonder whether they have done enough good works, whether they have met all the obligations of their religion and its rituals, and whether they have been as faithful as they could have been. They wonder: “Did I do enough ‘good’ to ensure that God will look at me favourably?”

But the Bible is clear: eternal life is not a reward in the next life but a gift to accept in this life. We do not earn it; we consciously receive eternal life as a gift. It is God’s gift of grace, made possible at God’s infinite expense – when He gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Through conscious and intentional faith in Christ alone, we receive the new birth and eternal life.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The Apostle Peter wrote to other Christians and reminded them of ‘how’ they were saved:

“When God our Saviour revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy… He gave us new life…and confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

A Personal Invitation to You from Christ Himself

Although the way to God is exclusive, Jesus also taught that it is beautifully inclusive — open to anyone and everyone. Regardless of one’s religious upbringing or lifestyle, Jesus promised salvation to everyone who came to Him for the forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus said: “I am the door; whoever enters through Me will be saved.” John 10:9

Similarly, Jesus promised peace, rest and full acceptance to all who came to Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … rest for your soul. Matthew 11:28-29

And to those who trust Him, God gives full assurance:

Whoever has the Son has life… I write this so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13

Tatiana, you have been through more suffering in a very short time than many experience in a lifetime. We deeply admire your honesty, your tenderness toward your children and love for your entire family, and your courage in speaking openly about fear, weakness and the unknown.

But as one who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, I join with others who long for you to have something more—certainty. Knowing Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord will bring you inner peace and provide the anchor and give you the rest and assurance your soul needs as you face the future.

Many like-minded people will be praying that, in this difficult season, you will turn to Christ, trust Him and find in Him the forgiveness, peace and eternal life that He lovingly offers you. We are praying for you and your family.

Sources:

• https://abcnews.go.com/US/tatiana-schlossberg-caroline-kennedys-daughter-reveals-terminal-cancer/story?id=127785089
• https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/a-battle-with-my-blood
• https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tatiana-schlossberg-jfk-granddaughter-terminal-cancer-rcna245308
• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jfk-granddaughter-tatiana-schlossberg-cancer