Earlier today, Taylor Swift took to Tumblr to reveal some heartbreaking news for her and her family.
After a routine health screening, the singer's mother, Andrea Finlay, was diagnosed with cancer. Swift wrote that, "Usually when things happen to me, I process them and then write music about how I feel, and you hear it much later." But, she added, "This is something my family and I thought you should know about now."
Swift explained that she and her brother urged their mother to see a doctor to get checked for common health issues, despite the fact that their mother was feeling fine and wasn't exhibiting any negative symptoms. At Swift and her brother's insistence, Finlay agreed to get a check-up—and it was only then that she found out she was suffering from the disease.
Though Swift is keeping the severity of her mother's condition as well as her plans for treatment private, she said that both she and her family felt that it was important to share the news with Swift's fans.
"She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they’ve got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle… Or peace of mind in knowing that they’re healthy and there’s nothing to worry about," Swift explained in her note.
The singer's effort to spread such an important message to the public even during such a difficult (and private) time is testament to her strong character and the kind of person that she is, and we couldn't commend her more for that. We're sending our well-wishes to Taylor and her family—and hope that her mother makes a speedy recovery.
