Elizabeth Edwards dies after years spent battling cancer

Published: December 08, 2020

Elizabeth Edwards’ renowned battle against cancer came to a tragic end on Tuesday 7th December, 2010.  She passed away at her home in Chapel Hill and was surrounded by her family and friends.

Just a few days earlier, doctors had told Elizabeth that further treatment was pointless as the stage IV cancer which had spread into her bones, had metastized in her liver. At the relatively young age of 61 she leaves behind three children, Cate, Jack and Emma Claire, as well as a lasting legacy in literary form from her time as a best selling author.

Her life followed many career paths which began with her role as a law clerk for a Federal Judge, and in 1978 she moved up the ladder to become an associate at Harwell, Barr, Martin and Sloan.  In 1981 she was employed at the Office of the Attorney General and legal firm Merriman, Nicholls and Crampton.  A pivotal and tragic event would soon lead her to step away from her legal roles.

She was the wife of former presidential candidate, John Edwards, although their marriage ended after their son Wade was killed in a jeep crash, and John publicly admitted to fathering a child with another woman.  The ensuing divorce required a compulsory one year separation.

The loss of Wade led her to form the “Wade Edwards Foundation” which was aimed at high school children who required aid in learning.

The death of her son changed so much in her life and was an awful loss to bear, but her resilience really began to shine when she was diagnosed with cancer.  The illness never deterred her from living a full life, and if anything it spurred her to even greater heights.

Her first book, “Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers,” focused on the death of her son and her battle with cancer, and her second book, “Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life’s Adversities,” followed in May 2009, and looked in more depth at the difficulties she faced throughout her life, the loss of her father and son and the state of US health care.

It was in November 2004 that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and the subsequent fight against the disease remained public.  She became an activist for women’s health care and all sufferers of cancer. On March 22nd, 2007 she announced that her cancer had developed to stage IV and on December 6th, 2010 doctors ended all treatment.

Although her life tragically ended she will be remembered as a brave and courageous woman who inspired millions with her strength in the face of great adversity.

Please leave a tribute to Elizabeth Edwards in the comments section.

Learn more about breast cancer, and read our previous coverage of Elizabeth Edwards.

images: sugarslam.com, blog.zap2it.com



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Published December 08, 2020 by in Celebrities
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5 Responses to “Elizabeth Edwards dies after years spent battling cancer”

  1. [...] years later Elizabeth, her husband and children would learn of Elizabeth's diagnosis. …Elizabeth Edwards dies after years spent battling cancer Celebrities With DiseasesEdwards an inspiration to those with breast cancer WRAL.comElizabeth [...]

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  2. World Spinner

    08. Dec, 2010

    Elizabeth Edwards dies after years spent battling cancer ……

    Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……

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  3. Lynn

    08. Dec, 2010

    This is the first time I have ever left a comment about anything or anyone. Elizabeth…you are a saint and a heroine. I can not fathom the depth of your strength and resilience, but mostly your capacity to love. To love God, yourself, your children, your family, friends and finally your life…especially through the horrors. There are many heroes and heroines, and you rest in peace amongst them. I do not understand why you had to die. You have done so much for so many. And while your life is publicly known, and in many ways heralded, by many, you are an unsong heroine. But not for long. Your light will illuminate soon, for those who need to learn from the lessons you lived.

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  4. A

    08. Dec, 2010

    That is so sad. about what happened to her. her childeren must be devastede i know i would be. :(

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  5. [...] 61San Francisco ChronicleElizabeth Edwards: Resilience RememberedNPRBloomberg -msnbc.com -Celebrities With Diseasesall 3,131 news articles » var AdBrite_Title_Color = '0000FF'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = [...]

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