Actress Lucy Davis, best known for her turn as receptionist Dawn Tinsley on the original incarnation of The Office, disclosed on social media that she is suffering an “incurable” form of breast cancer. Along with a video of her ringing the chemo treatment completion bell, Davis wrote on Instagram that she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer a year-and-a-half ago, which has metastasized to her bones. “Specifically to my spine, right hip and my ribs,” she writes. “The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.” Davis continues, “The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything—get everything checked out.” In addition to popularizing the role that would be adapted to different Offices around the world, Davis also starred in the BBC’s famed adaptation of Pride And Prejudice, Shaun Of The Dead, and Wonder Woman. Most recently, she played Eva on the Disney Channel’s The Villains Of Valley View.
Davis plans to keep working, both as an actor (“I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys of my life”) and as an animal rights activist (“It’s so important to me”). However, she reports that the “pain can be something else.” She has trouble standing and walking for long periods and “needs to use a wheelchair sometimes (so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!).” As is evident from that last quote, Davis maintains that her sense of humor “has been the most vital to me.” She’s asked friends and family to “make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at).”
“Most importantly of all,” she continues, [is] to not treat me like a sick person. There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell.” Given the grim diagnosis, Davis is keeping her spirits high. “I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it. I’ll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.”