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Fans have been offering their heartfelt prayers and support to Sam Neill, the renowned star of “Jurassic Park,” ever since he disclosed his stage 3 blood cancer diagnosis in March.
In a recent update, Neill courageously shared that, although the treatments will eventually lose their effectiveness, he harbors no fear about facing mortality when the time comes.
The 76-year-old actor from New Zealand has been in a relentless battle against angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, an uncommon variant of non-Hodgkin blood cancer. His diagnosis came to light in March 2022, a revelation he made during the promotion of “Jurassic World Dominion” after noticing swollen glands.
Neill initially underwent traditional chemotherapy, but when those treatments proved ineffective, he opted for a new and experimental chemotherapy drug. As part of his ongoing treatment plan, he now receives infusions every two weeks for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, this innovative drug has led to a remission of his cancer.
In a recent interview featured on Australian Story, Neill shared that the drug regimen exacts a toll on him, describing the days following treatment as “very challenging and disheartening.” However, he acknowledges that these medications are the linchpin of his survival.
While Neill understands that these treatments have a finite effectiveness, his attitude remains resolute. He expressed his readiness for the eventual point when they no longer prove effective, stating that he is unafraid of facing death.
While he’s not afraid of dying, Neill says that retiring from acting “fills me with horror.” Which is why he has continued to work even while battling cancer: he most recently worked on an adaptation of the novel Apples Never Fall before the actors’ strike shut down production.
Neill made similar comments last March, after first revealing his diagnosis.
“I’m not afraid to die, but it would annoy me,” Neill said in an interview. “Because I’d really like another decade or two, you know? We’ve built all these lovely terraces, we’ve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And I’ve got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big. But as for the dying? I couldn’t care less.”
While taking a break from acting for cancer treatments, Neill took the time to write his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, although he stressed that it is not a “bloody cancer book.”
Although Neill expresses no fear of death, he openly admits that the prospect of retiring from acting terrifies him. This explains his determination to continue working even while facing the battle against cancer, with his most recent project being an adaptation of the novel “Apples Never Fall,” which regrettably halted due to an actors’ strike.
Last March, Neill shared similar sentiments when he first disclosed his diagnosis, stating, “I’m not afraid of dying, but it would certainly vex me. I genuinely desire another decade or two, you know? We’ve built all these beautiful terraces, cultivated olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be there to witness their full maturity. Additionally, I have my delightful little grandchildren, and I long to witness their growth. As for the notion of dying, I couldn’t care less.”
During his hiatus from acting to undergo cancer treatments, Neill seized the opportunity to author his memoir, “Did I Ever Tell You This?” Despite his emphasis that it is not merely a “cancer book,” his writing endeavors allowed him to reflect on his life and experiences.
Sam Neill is one of the best actors around, and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues his cancer battle. We’re glad to hear he is keeping such a positive attitude and not letting anything hold him back.
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