{"id":703474,"date":"2026-07-21T14:19:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T14:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/703474\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T14:19:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T14:19:13","slug":"friends-star-lauren-tom-announces-daughter-25-has-been-diagnosed-with-rare-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/703474\/","title":{"rendered":"Friends star Lauren Tom announces daughter, 25, has been diagnosed with rare cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Friends
\n\t\tFriends star Lauren Tom has announced her daughter has been diagnosed with rare cancer (Picture: Instagram\/@laurentom9000)<\/p>\n

Lauren Tom has shared the heartbreaking news that her 25-year-old daughter, Ellie, has been diagnosed with bone cancer.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> post as she asked fans to keep her daughter in their thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u2018I wanted to share some tough news today,\u2019 Lauren began alongside a carousel of photos of Ellie.<\/p>\n

\u2018This 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

While Lauren did not discuss Ellie\u2019s prognosis, she acknowledged the road ahead would be a long one for the family. \u2018We have a long journey ahead of us,\u2019 she wrote.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Lauren
\n\t\tFox played Julie in Friends, one of Ross\u2019 girlfriends in the series (Picture: NBC)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Lauren
\n\t\tThe actress starred in seven episodes of the iconic series (Picture: NBC)<\/p>\n

Despite the difficult circumstances, the actress said she has found comfort in the support already surrounding her family, sharing a quote from beloved children\u2019s television presenter Fred Rogers.<\/p>\n

\u2018I am reminded of the Fred Rogers quote, \u201cWhen I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, \u2018Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’\u201d\u2018<\/p>\n

Lauren went on to thank friends, relatives and the medical team caring for Ellie.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019d like to thank our friends and family, and the incredible doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai for their ongoing boundless support, love, and care,\u2019 she wrote. \u2018It is truly humbling to see how willing people are to reach out and help.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Friends
\n\t\tShe shared several photos of her daughter on social media (picture: @laurentom9000)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Friends
\n\t\tLauren described her daughter as \u2018beautiful inside and out\u2019 (Picture: @laurentom9000)<\/p>\n

She also appealed directly to her followers, asking them to keep Ellie in their prayers and leave encouraging messages on social media.<\/p>\n

Describing her daughter, Lauren wrote: \u2018Ellie is an amazing, deep, sensitive, wise, strong, brave, intelligent, and funny soul. Beautiful inside and out.\u2019<\/p>\n

The actress also left the first comment on Ellie\u2019s own Instagram page, writing: \u2018You 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

Lauren is known to millions for her memorable role as Ross Geller\u2019s girlfriend Julie in Friends, who briefly dated David Schwimmer<\/a>\u2019s character before he reunited with Rachel Green. <\/p>\n

She also starred in the acclaimed 1993 film The Joy Luck Club and has had a prolific career across television, film, and voice acting.<\/p>\n

Since sharing the news, fans have flooded Lauren\u2019s post with messages of love and support, wishing Ellie strength as she begins treatment.<\/p>\n

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