Lauren Tom, the actress best known for playing Julie on Friends and starring in The Joy Luck Club, has revealed that her 25-year-old daughter, Ellie, has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
The 64-year-old shared the news in an emotional Instagram post, writing alongside photos of Ellie: 'I wanted to share some tough news today. 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.'
Diagnosis and treatment
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 Tom 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.
Support and gratitude
Despite the difficult circumstances, Tom said she has found comfort in the support already surrounding her family, sharing a quote from beloved children's television presenter Fred Rogers: '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.''
Tom thanked 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. It is truly humbling to see how willing people are to reach out and help.'
Appeal to fans
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, Tom wrote: 'Ellie is an amazing, deep, sensitive, wise, strong, brave, intelligent, and funny soul. Beautiful inside and out.'
Tom also left a 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.'
Tom 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 enjoyed a prolific career across television, film and voice acting.
