Fawcett documentary to air on NBC

LOS ANGELES, May 5 (UPI) -- NBC Tuesday announced plans to air "Farrah's Story," a personal look at the former U.S. model and TV star's 2 1/2-year battle with anal cancer.

Shot with her own home video recorder, the May 15 program is an intensely intimate and emotional video diary, in which Fawcett not only shares her thoughts and feelings, but also her treatments in the United States and Germany.

"This film is very personal," Fawcett, 62, said during filming. "At the time, I didn't know if anybody would ever see it. But at some point, the footage took on a life of its own and dictated that it be seen."

Offering Fawcett close support in her fight is her long-time companion, actor Ryan O'Neal, whose leukemia has been in remission since 2006. Close friend Alana Stewart serves as co-producer and shot most of the video.

O'Neal, model-actress Jaclyn Smith, actress Kate Jackson, Farrah's father Jim Fawcett, as well as her team of doctors participate in the two-hour documentary.

"This is an incredibly intimate and moving story about Farrah's struggle," Doug Vaughan, senior vice president of specials and alternative development, said in a statement. "Farrah wanted us to see the face of cancer and she wanted to set the record straight regarding her diagnosis, her treatment and her outlook on the future."

"I've never understood why people are interested in anything that I do. Until now," Fawcett added. "As much as I would have liked to have kept my cancer private, I now realize that I have a certain responsibility to those who are fighting their own fights and may be able to benefit from learning about mine."