Alana Stewart, Ryan O’Neal dedicate Farrah Fawcett Foundation on anniversary of actress’ death

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Stewart, O’Neal dedicate Farrah Fawcett Foundation

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Farrah Fawcett’s closest friends marked the first anniversary of her death by dedicating a cancer-research foundation in her name.

Alana Stewart, Ryan O’Neal, Tatum O’Neal and Redmond O’Neal were among guests at an intimate gathering Friday at the new offices of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, which funds alternative cancer research and treatment methods and aims to improve the quality of life of those with the disease.

Fawcett, the “Charlie’s Angels” star who detailed her battle with anal cancer in the 2009 documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” died at 62 on June 25, 2009.

Stewart said Fawcett started her namesake foundation during her own struggle with cancer, and Stewart was determined to keep her friend’s efforts alive.

“If I can help carry on Farrah’s mission for the foundation, it’s an honor for me,” Stewart said. “I feel almost like she’s a guardian angel watching over me, and I feel like she’s smiling down on us and very happy that she died for a cause.”

“She felt that she could help a lot of people and she could give a lot of people inspiration, courage and hope,” Stewart continued. “That’s why she did the documentary and that’s why she started the foundation.”

Ryan O’Neal said the first anniversary of Fawcett’s death had been an emotional one for his family. Their 25-year-old son, Redmond, who has been dogged by drug problems and was jailed during his mother’s final days, visited Fawcett’s grave for the first time Friday.

The soft-spoken redhead said he is now clean and sober.

Ryan O’Neal said he still worried about his son, especially since Fawcett is gone: “He lost her, and he’s fragile.”

But, O’Neal said, her mission will continue.

“Farrah was extremely loved around the world,” he said. “We will try to keep that feeling in play.”

Online:

www.thefarrahfawcettfoundation.org/