Something was wrong at dinner

After the 2006 Emmys honoring Aaron Spelling, Jaclyn noticed Farrah looked unwell. Her skin was pale and her famous hair lifeless.

The devastating phone call

In September, Farrah called with horrible news: she'd been diagnosed with anal cancer. Her first reaction was denial, just like Jaclyn's would have been.

“I don't have cancer. It's got to be a mistake”

Ryan returned to her side

Farrah and Ryan O'Neal had been separated, but reunited after her diagnosis. He'd battled leukemia himself and kept saying he'd take her cancer for her.

“I would take it for you.”

Humor even in darkness

When Ryan offered to take her cancer, Farrah joked back: give up your leukemia drug and let it return. She never lost her sense of humor.

Tabloids printed lies

The National Enquirer broke the news in October 2006 with fabricated stories. One headline screamed Farrah begged to die, which never happened.

“Farrah Begs: 'Let Me Die.'”

A brief moment of hope

After four months of aggressive chemo and radiation, Farrah announced on her 60th birthday she was cancer-free. Jaclyn's husband didn't believe it was over.

“In the face of excruciating pain and uncertainty, I never lost hope.”

The cancer returned

Four months later, doctors found a malignant polyp. Farrah called Jaclyn's husband Brad, a surgeon, to ask what she should do next.

She chose Germany instead

Brad found specialists who could help, but Farrah decided to try alternative treatments in Germany with Dr. Ursula Jacob instead of radical surgery.

Documenting every moment

Back in LA for her final six months, Farrah video-recorded all her appointments for a documentary. She believed sharing her experience could help others.

Farrah insisted on filming

When Farrah and Alana Stewart visited, they wanted to record Jaclyn's conversation with Farrah. Jaclyn was emotional and didn't want to be filmed.

“Film her.”

Small comforts and care

Jaclyn visited regularly, bringing Pinkberry frozen yogurt that Farrah loved. When Farrah was in pain, Jaclyn would rub her feet for hours.

A grateful moment together

After an acupuncture appointment, Farrah told Jaclyn she wouldn't have missed their time together for anything. It was the best thing for her.

“I wouldn't have missed this time with you for anything. It's the best thing for me.”

She baked a chocolate cake

Despite being so sick, Farrah went home and whipped up a German chocolate cake before coming to Jaclyn's for dinner. It turned out to be a joyful day.

Trying on shoes one last time

After dinner, Farrah wanted to try on Jaclyn's shoes, just like they did on Charlie's Angels years ago. Her swollen feet wouldn't fit.

The final goodbye

On an early summer afternoon in 2009, Jaclyn brought Pinkberry and rubbed Farrah's feet for hours. When they hugged goodbye, she felt an energy pass between them.

“Don't worry about me. I'm going to get well.”

June 25, 2009

Farrah died on the morning of June 25, 2009. That summer afternoon had been the last time Jaclyn ever saw her friend.

A Christmas gift and letter

Farrah's last Christmas, she sent Jaclyn a bronze sculpture and a letter thanking her for helping navigate the ambiguous journey of cancer.

Fear was her biggest test

In her letter, Farrah wrote that fear was her biggest test. She'd never been bothered by it before, but this fear didn't work the same way.

“Fear of everything seems just around the corner every day. And it's my biggest test because I was never bothered by fear.”

A sisterhood that lasted

Kate Jackson, Farrah, and Jaclyn had a sisterhood felt by millions. Though their paths diverged, they remained part of each other's lives.

The gift of being present

At the end of Farrah's life, they recaptured the spirit of their first year as friends. Being there for each other mattered most.

“I will always be grateful that Farrah and I stayed present with each other in the last years of her life.”