RYAN O'NEALNeeds marrow transplant.
Posted on 03/22/2002 6:11:00 AM PST by 1Old Pro
RYAN ON 48-HOUR DEATH WATCH
By PETRA KENDALL
| RYAN O'NEAL Needs marrow transplant. |
March 22, 2002 -- LOS ANGELES - Doctors have told Ryan O'Neal he must undergo a bone-marrow transplant in the next 48 hours or he'll die.
The "Love Story" star has a chronic form of leukemia, and his condition is worsening by the day.
O'Neal's sick brother, Kevin, has volunteered to be the donor, but doctors warn that because of his own frail health, Kevin will be putting his own life on the line.
The transplant was being scheduled at the City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles.
"Ryan is aware this is effectively a last-ditch attempt to save his life," a close family friend said last night.
"Doctors have been carrying out tests with other members of he family, but Kevin is the only one who matches up medically.
"It was a tough call deciding if Kevin was fit enough to stand the operation - but he insisted the surgery go ahead."
Doctors broke the devastating news of the leukemia to Ryan on his 60th birthday.
A few days later, he said, "I can't believe it, but it's true. I have chronic leukemia. Hopefully, it's treatable."
He vowed to do everything possible to combat the dreaded disease, telling friends, "I'm not going to throw in the towel. Just watch me - I'll spend every waking hour fighting this curse."
The blood cancer threatening his life is called chronic myelogenous leukemia, in which the white blood cells multiply out of control.
He has been treated with new cancer drugs for nearly a year, but now needs the transplant.
O'Neal had been scheduled to be a presenter at this Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony, but that has been put on hold.
His former wife, Farrah Fawcett, 54, who is back with the star, has vowed to help him through the ordeal. She told him, "I will always be here for you."
...lifetime achievement Oscar for O'Neal?
I'm a cancer survivor. I won't scoff at anyone with an illness like this.
Have to be amused at the atrophed Farah's comment: "I will always be with you." Let's see, in Hollyweird "love" lexicon, that could mean anywhere from 10 minutes to two weeks.
I didn't know donating bone marrow could be considered "life-threatening.".
How ironic! Didn't Ali McGraw's character in 'Love Story' die of leukemia? That movie was the first I ever saw which used the 'F' word very liberally!
I'm a cancer survivor. I won't scoff at anyone with an illness like this.
Exactly, neighbor. I actually can't recall a thing about his politics, and it's irrelevant anyway. Illness doesn't wear a label.
WOW, I can't remember.
If Mac is a "good man" then Ilie 'Nasty' Nastase is a saint--besides I believe it was John, not Tatum, who couldn't deal with married/family life.
We're all dying. It's just that some of us have more of an idea how and when this will occur(such as O'Neal) than others.
I hope he makes it back to full health but if not, I pray that he find peace with God and within himself.
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