Lauren Tom shared that her 25-year-old daughter, Ellie, has been diagnosed with bone cancer, calling the news “tough” in a deeply personal Instagram post on Sunday, as reported by Page Six.
The “Friends” alum, known for playing Ross’ girlfriend Julie, revealed that Ellie is currently battling osteosarcoma.
The actress, 64, said her family is doing everything possible to support her daughter’s healing.
Tom wrote that she and her family are leaning on both their loved ones and medical team for strength. She expressed gratitude to their “friends and family, and the incredible doctors and nurses at @cedarssinai for their ongoing boundless support, love, and care.”
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She described their kindness as “humbling,” adding that it has been moving to see how people have reached out to help during this struggle.
Tom praised Ellie as being “an amazing, deep, sensitive, wise, strong, brave, intelligent, and funny soul.”
She also emphasized that while the road ahead will be long, her daughter’s inner strength gives her immense hope.
In her message, Tom asked her followers to pray for Ellie’s “complete recovery.”
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She also invited fans to leave messages of encouragement either on her post or directly on Ellie’s Instagram account.
“Thank you so much for reading and for your support,” she wrote, concluding her post with appreciation for the kindness that’s poured in.
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In addition to her announcement, Tom left a heartfelt comment on Ellie’s own recent Instagram photo, offering words of strength and belief in her recovery.
“You are strong, brave and will recover from this completely to live a beautiful, meaningful life,” Tom wrote. “You are so loved, Ellie, by everyone who knows you.”
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Tom shares Ellie and her son Leo with her husband, actor Curt Kaplan, whom she married in 1999.
The family has remained close throughout the years, and Tom’s social media posts often reflect a sense of love and support within their household.
Outside her personal life, Tom has built a wide-ranging career across television and film.
She gained fame in the 1990s for her role on “Friends” and went on to appear in other series including “Grace Under Fire,” “Men in Trees,” and Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack.”
She has also developed an extensive background in voice acting, lending her voice to major animated shows such as “Futurama,” “King of the Hill,” and “Teen Titans Go!”
Her work has made her a recognizable and respected figure in both live-action and animation circles.
For now, Tom’s focus remains on her daughter’s well-being and recovery.
The actress shared that she believes in Ellie’s strength and has faith that the outpouring of love will help them face the journey ahead.
The announcement has prompted supportive reactions from fans and colleagues, many offering prayers and kind words in the comments.
The communal response underscores the compassion surrounding Tom and her family during this time.
Through her message, Tom has shown both vulnerability and resilience, revealing the depth of a mother’s love and the power of unity in difficult moments.
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