Lauren Tom has shared the heartbreaking news that her 25-year-old daughter, Ellie, has been diagnosed with bone cancer.
The 64-year-old actress, best known for playing Julie in Friends as well as starring in The Joy Luck Club, revealed the devastating diagnosis in an emotional Instagram post as she asked fans to keep her daughter in their thoughts.
‘I wanted to share some tough news today,’ Lauren began alongside a carousel of photos of Ellie.
‘This is my beautiful daughter, Ellie. She is currently battling osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and my family and I are doing everything we can to aid in her healing.’
Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that most commonly develops in the arms or legs. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy and surgery, and can sometimes require amputation depending on how advanced the disease is.
While Lauren did not discuss Ellie’s prognosis, she acknowledged the road ahead would be a long one for the family. ‘We have a long journey ahead of us,’ she wrote.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the actress said she has found comfort in the support already surrounding her family, sharing a quote from beloved children’s television presenter Fred Rogers.
‘I am reminded of the Fred Rogers quote, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”‘
Lauren went on to thank friends, relatives and the medical team caring for Ellie.
‘I’d like to thank our friends and family, and the incredible doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai for their ongoing boundless support, love, and care,’ she wrote. ‘It is truly humbling to see how willing people are to reach out and help.’
She also appealed directly to her followers, asking them to keep Ellie in their prayers and leave encouraging messages on social media.
Describing her daughter, Lauren wrote: ‘Ellie is an amazing, deep, sensitive, wise, strong, brave, intelligent, and funny soul. Beautiful inside and out.’
The actress also left the first comment on Ellie’s own Instagram page, writing: ‘You are strong, brave and will recover from this completely to live a beautiful, meaningful life. You are so loved, Ellie, by everyone who knows you.’
Lauren is known to millions for her memorable role as Ross Geller’s girlfriend Julie in Friends, who briefly dated David Schwimmer’s character before he reunited with Rachel Green.
She also starred in the acclaimed 1993 film The Joy Luck Club and has has a prolific career across television, film, and voice acting.
Since sharing the news, fans have flooded Lauren’s post with messages of love and support, wishing Ellie strength as she begins treatment.