As Sen. Edward Kennedy was being laid to rest Saturday at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River, actress Fran Drescher was recalling her time with the man so influential in helping her in succeed in cancer advocacy.
At a dinner Saturday evening at Teatro Goldoni, Drescher recalled to Yeas & Nays her greatest memory of the late Senator in helping the uterine cancer survivor get funds for development of a national gynecologic cancer awareness campaign.
“He was instrumental in helping me pass the bill by unanimous consent,” Fran began in recalling his role in her success passage of The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act.
While in Washington in December 2006, “The Nanny” realized the Kennedy Center Honors were occurring that week and knew it would the perfect time to finally get some face time with senators to discuss her lobbying efforts to pass the act before Congress’ adjournment.
“I called up my friend [Representative] Patrick Kennedy and asked, ‘Are you going to the Kennedy Center Honors and can I be your date?’” He said yes to both,” she explained, the first time we heard her famous machine gun laugh. That was how she later found herself seated at the Kennedy’s dinner table after the event, but still had trouble fighting to get a minute with the Massachusetts Senator.
“Finally when I went over to say goodbye to him, he says something I’ll never forget – ‘I’ll help you with your bill,’ Drescher said with a big smile.
“I threw my arms around his neck, hugged him and said, ‘Thank you Senator, thank you.’ I can still feel him in my arms,” she finished her story with a bit of sadness in her voice.
She cited his help in passing the revolutionary act as the backbone of her non-profit she founded in 2007 called Cancer Schmancer Movement to bring attention to preventative care and early detection as the best cure for cancer. Last year, she was rumored to be running for the Senate seat opened by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. One of newest ways she is helping women prevent cancer is with FranBrand, her all natural, organic, carcinogen-free line of skin care.
Meet the Press’ Betsy Fischer, The Georgetowner’s Beth Solomon and Fran Drescher
(Photo: Janet Donovan)
