THE LAST FIGHT

By Debjani Basu

Jade Cerisa Lorraine goody, the famous English media personality who sold the media rights to document her terminal illness, died in her sleep after a severe battle with cervical cancer.

Her career in media started with the 3rd series of the Channel 4 reality TV show ‘Big Brother’ in 2002. She published her autobiography in 2006 called ‘My Autobiography’ and also launched her own fragrance ‘Shh ... Jade Goody’. Then she again grabbed the spotlight in 2007 when she was accused of racist bullying against Indian actress Shilpa Shetty in the same show. This affected her lucrative career adversely and ruined it partially.

In 2008 she again appeared on the Indian version of ‘Big Brother’, ‘Big Boss’ and withdrew early after being diagnosed of cervical cancer. She decided she would fight her battle with the disease publicly. As the disease quickly took hold and spread to her liver, groin and bowel, it became clear goody was not to recover. She was also keen to raise public awareness of the disease and prevent other women from suffering her fate.

She was always praised for her strength and determination in whatever she did. In her last days she fought like a true fighter against the painful disease and showed the world her courage. It goes unsaid that dying before ones children is the most painful thing that can happen. It takes strength of character and real effort to protect ones children from what is really happening. Her love and concern for her children was an example set before every mother. She left 2 million pounds each for her son’s Bobby and Freddie. She was a fighter and she died like a fighter.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “She was a courageous woman both in life and death and the whole country has admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.”