On May 17 Senator Ted Kennedy, 76, was rushed to the emergency room due to stroke-like symptoms. The Senator was first admitted to Cape Cod Hospital, but was quickly transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital. On May 20 Kennedy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, which had mimicked symptoms of a stroke but was in fact a seizure caused by the malignant growth in his brain.

“The Kennedy family has faced adversity more times in more instances with more courage and more determination and more grace than most families have to," said Senator John Kerry. “Every one of us knows what a big heart this fellow has. He's helped millions and millions of people — from the biggest of legislation on the floor to the most personal.”