Lauren Tom is asking fans to surround her 25-year-old daughter, Ellie, with love as their family begins what the actress described as a “long journey” through cancer treatment.
The “Friends” alum revealed that Ellie is battling osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer commonly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. While Tom did not disclose the cancer’s stage or details of her daughter’s treatment, she said the family is doing everything possible to support Ellie’s healing.
Tom announced her daughter’s diagnosis in an emotional Instagram post featuring several photographs of Ellie. “I wanted to share some tough news today,” the 64-year-old actress wrote. “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.”
Tom turned to a well-known message from Fred Rogers as she thanked the people supporting her family during the frightening period, sharing, “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’.”
“In that light, I’d like to thank our friends and family, and the incredible doctors and nurses at @cedarssinai for their ongoing boundless support, love, and care,” the actress, who shares Ellie and her 22-year-old son, Leo, with her husband, actor Curt Kaplan, added. The couple has been married since October 1999.
The Actress Praises Ellie’s Strength
Tom celebrated her daughter’s personality and resilience while acknowledging that the family has a difficult road ahead. “Ellie is an amazing, deep, sensitive, wise, strong, brave, intelligent, and funny soul. Beautiful inside and out,” she wrote.
“It is truly humbling to see how willing people are to reach out and help,” Tom continued. “We have a long journey ahead of us. Would you be so kind to keep Ellie in your prayers for a complete recovery, and perhaps leave a comment for her here, or on her account? @eliatom_.”
Tom closed her message by thanking followers for their support and included a transgender pride flag. She also left a personal message beneath one of Ellie’s recent Instagram posts, which was captioned, “the most ephemeral part of my surroundings is me.”
“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. Especially the loaches…”
What Is Osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is a rare cancer that begins in the cells responsible for forming bone. It most commonly develops in the long bones of the legs or arms, although it can occur in any bone. The disease is diagnosed most frequently among teenagers and young adults, according to the National Cancer Institute. Its incidence is estimated at approximately four cases per million people younger than 40 each year.
Common symptoms can include persistent bone or joint pain, swelling near a bone, and fractures that occur without an obvious explanation. However, Tom has not publicly shared what symptoms Ellie experienced before receiving her diagnosis.
Treatment decisions depend on multiple factors, including the tumor’s location, whether it has spread, and how it responds to therapy. Chemotherapy and surgery are commonly used to treat osteosarcoma, but no information has been released regarding Ellie’s individual care plan.
A patient’s outlook can vary considerably based on the specific circumstances of the diagnosis. Tom has not disclosed Ellie’s stage, so broader survival statistics cannot be used to predict her personal prognosis.
Hollywood Stars Rally Around Lauren Tom’s Family
Tom’s announcement quickly received messages from fellow actors and fans who wanted Ellie to know she was not facing the illness alone. “Sending all our love and prayers for Ellie. Anything we can do, let us know. Love you,” Ken Jeong wrote.
Ming-Na Wen, who voiced the title character in Disney’s animated “Mulan,” also offered her support. “Praying for Ellie and keeping all of your family in our thoughts and prayers, sis! Love you!” Wen wrote.
As the messages continued arriving, Tom returned to the post to express how much the response meant to her family. “Thank you all so much for this overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers,” she said. “We have read each comment, and are filled with gratitude that you are holding us in your hearts.”
Lauren Tom Has Built A Decades-Long Acting Career
Tom is familiar to “Friends” viewers as Julie, the paleontologist who dated Ross Geller during the sitcom’s second season. Her character’s arrival complicated the show’s central Ross-and-Rachel romance after Ross returned from a trip to China with a new girlfriend.
Her career, however, extends far beyond the NBC sitcom. Tom portrayed Lena St. Clair in the 1993 movie adaptation of Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club.” She later built a prolific voice-acting career as Amy Wong on “Futurama” and both Minh and Connie Souphanousinphone on “King of the Hill.”
Her other television roles include appearances on “Supernatural” and playing Celia Mack on the Disney Channel series “Andi Mack.”
