{"id":68453,"date":"2023-11-25T12:29:33","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T12:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/?p=68453"},"modified":"2023-11-25T12:29:33","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T12:29:33","slug":"esther-rantzen-embraces-christmas-amid-cancer-fight-and-reflects-on-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/celebrities\/esther-rantzen-embraces-christmas-amid-cancer-fight-and-reflects-on-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Esther Rantzen embraces Christmas amid cancer fight and reflects on life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dame Esther Rantzen is especially excited about Christmas this year – because she never thought she would live to see it.<\/p>\n

At the turn of the year, the veteran campaigner discovered she had cancer in a diagnosis that shocked her and those she knows and loves.<\/p>\n

But the indefatigable octogenarian said treatments seem to be \u201cholding the disease back\u201d and she still treasures every single day.<\/p>\n

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express Dame Esther, 83, said: \u201cThis is the Christmas I thought I wouldn\u2019t see because last January I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.”<\/p>\n

READ MORE <\/strong> Esther Rantzen celebrates Express role in breast cancer gene discovery<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Since then I\u2019ve been taking one of the new targeted drugs. I know it cannot cure the cancer, but it can hold it back and slow it down a bit. So I\u2019m looking forward to spending this Christmas with my family again, an extra precious present I didn\u2019t expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

To millions the national treasure is fondly known as the presenter of That\u2019s Life! which ran for 21 years and drew audiences of 18 million, and a tireless champion for the marginalised, forgotten and ill-treated.<\/p>\n

In a groundbreaking move she set up ChildLine in 1986 and, exactly a decade ago tomorrow founded The Silver Line, Britain\u2019s only 24-hour-a-day helpline for lonely and isolated pensioners.<\/p>\n

The extra time she has been afforded means she can rightly celebrate a remarkable milestone, knowing her determination and drive has meant millions suffocating in the vice-like grip of loneliness have been handed a lifeline.<\/p>\n

In selflessness that has become her trademark, Dame Esther said she continues to worry more about those less fortunate than her.<\/p>\n

But this year her cancer fight, and effects of ongoing treatment, mean she will not be able to participate as she always has.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cTo my frustration, as with so many cancer patients, I find one debilitating side effect of the illness is fatigue. So very sadly I will not be able to speak to The Silver Line callers this year as usual, although of course, I will be thinking of them.”<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil I became ill I used to regularly speak to a dozen older people over Christmas, callers who had asked for a phone call because they wanted to reach out to someone to share memories with, to talk about their feelings with, even to grumble at or tell a joke to. Their courage astonished me.\u201d<\/p>\n