Robert Redford's Loss
- Actor Robert Redford, 84, is mourning the loss of his son, James, who died from bile duct cancer.
- Bile duct cancer is extremely rare; annually in the U.S., only 8,000 people are diagnosed with this disease.
- Losing a child to cancer is heartbreaking; support through the grief process can be found in therapy, support groups, and friends and family.
James’ wife, Kyle, made the announcement on Twitter in a heartfelt message: “Jamie died today. We're heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 yrs, I'm most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don't know what we would've done w/o them over the past 2yrs.”
Jamie died today. We're heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 yrs, I'm most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don't know what we would've done w/o them over the past 2yrs. pic.twitter.com/ynDN2jSZ04
Read More— kyle redford (@kyleredford) October 16, 2020 There was an outpouring of messages from friends and colleagues. Actor Keifer Sutherland wrote: “So saddened to hear about the passing of James Redford. He was a wonderful writer and a wonderful man.”So saddened to hear about the passing of James Redford. He was a wonderful writer and a wonderful man.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) October 19, 2020
Mark Ruffalo said: “Damn. This year has cut deep. Another great, sweet, kindly person leaves us. RIP. Condolences to Robert and the family. James Redford filmmaker, activist and son of Robert Redford dies at 58, via @sltrib”
Damn. This year has cut deep. Another great, sweet, kindly person leaves us. RIP. Condolences to Robert and the family. James Redford filmmaker, activist and son of Robert Redford dies at 58, via @sltrib https://t.co/zkv70rzXYz
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) October 20, 2020
James died from bile duct cancer found in his liver and had been awaiting a transplant when he passed. The Salt Lake Tribue reported that “His past liver disease had returned two years ago, and the cancer was discovered in his bile duct last November as he was awaiting a liver transplant.”
Bile Duct Cancer
James had bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma. This is a very rare type of cancer. Every year in the U.S., approximately 8,000 people will be diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), bile duct cancer develops when cells in the bile duct become malignant.
Bile ducts are a series of small tubes that go from the liver to the small intestine. Their primary function is to move bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine to help the body digest fat from foods eaten.
After James’ passing from this disease, Robert Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, released a statement on behalf of him, saying: “The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child. Jamie [James] was a loving son, husband and father.” Redford’s publicist also asked for privacy for the Redfords “during this difficult time”.
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Redford’s Legacy
James Redford leaves behind a lifetime of activism, advocacy, and the lasting legacy of his children with his wife, Kyle. He was awaiting a new liver when he passed away, and James received two liver transplants in 1993.
After undergoing his transplants in 1993, James created the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness, a non-profit devoted to educating people about the need for organ and tissue donation. James was an example of the life-extending power that organ donations can give a person.
The Redford Center issued a touching statement when James passed, writing: “It is with profound sadness that we grieve the loss of James Redford, our Co-Founder, our inspiration and our friend…Jamie worked tirelessly to build a healthier world for us all, and particularly for those most in need of support. He always led with his enormous heart and was guided by his curiosity and creative spirit. He was a fierce protector of the natural world and believed that everyone deserved a healthy environment in which they could thrive and play….”
Losing a Loved One to Cancer
Losing a child to cancer whether they are grown, like Redford’s son, or young is heartbreaking. After cancer loss, many find the grief process to be helped by support systems like therapy, cancer loss support groups, and of course, support from friends and family.
Choosing how best to work through your grief after a cancer loss is a personal process. Some find certain support systems better suited to them than others. Bethany Kandel, an 11-year breast cancer survivor, told SurvivorNet that group sessions for support were not for her. “I went to a support group because I thought it was when I was supposed to do. I thought it might be helpful. And it was a room of lovely women, but each one had like a worse story than I did,” says Kandel.
She explained, “All these [stories of] complications and horrible scary things, and I actually had to leave the room because I felt a little noxious. But my doctor’s office, luckily, he had a wonderful program.”
Whether or not you go the support group route after losing a child to cancer, is entirely up to you. Regardless of your method for processing cancer-related grief, it can be helpful to lean on others during this time.
Cancer Support Groups Aren't for Everyone We All Have Our Own Way of Coping
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