Jane Fonda has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The Grace and Frankie star, 84, confirmed the news on Instagram, explaining that she has started chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
In a lengthy post shared with fans, the Hollywood icon began: ‘So, my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share. I’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments.
‘This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky.
‘I’m also lucky because I have health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments. I realize, and it’s painful, that I am privileged in this. Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another and far too many don’t have access to the quality health care I am receiving and this is not right.
‘We also need to be talking much more not just about cures but about causes so we can eliminate them. For example, people need to know that fossil fuels cause cancer. So do pesticides, many of which are fossil fuel-based, like mine.’
‘I’m doing chemo for 6 months and am handling the treatments quite well and, believe me, I will not let any of this interfere with my climate activism,’ she continued.
‘Cancer is a teacher and I’m paying attention to the lessons it holds for me. One thing it’s shown me already is the importance of community.
‘Of growing and deepening one’s community so that we are not alone. And the cancer, along with my age –almost 85– definitely teaches the importance of adapting to new realities.
‘We’re living through the most consequential time in human history because what we do or don’t do right now will determine what kind of future there will be and I will not allow cancer to keep me from doing all I can, using every tool in my toolbox and that very much includes continuing to build this Fire Drill Fridays community and finding new ways to use our collective strength to make change.’
Jane ended the message by vowing to continue her fight for climate awareness at the upcoming elections, adding: ‘The midterms are looming, and they are beyond consequential so you can count on me to be right there together with you as we grow our army of climate champions.’
Fans rushed to support the Nine To Five actress in the comments below, keeping their fingers crossed for a ‘speedy recovery’.
‘Stay fighting. You are an inspiration to many,’ one penned.
‘Love you. You have always been the best fighter. You inspire me and I wish you the very best,’ another agreed.
‘Sending up prayers and sending healing vibes and love! You are an amazing,’ a follower praised.
An Instagram user shared: ‘Wishing you a speedy recovery and thank you for your ongoing leadership!’
‘You got this Jane! You’ve always been a fierce fighter,’ one added. ‘Sending lots of healing prayers and fast recovery vibes your way.’
Jane made her Hollywood debut in 1960, in Tall Story, and has been a staple of our screens ever since, going on to star in Sunday in New York, Fun with Dick and Jane, Coming Home and Julia among her many, many credits.
In 1969, she landed her first Oscar nomination for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, and took home the best actress gong two years later for her role in Klute, before winning her second coveted statue thanks to 1978 flick, Coming Home.
She famously battled against Jennifer Lopez in the iconic Monster-In-Law, in 2005, and starred opposite Diane Keaton and Candice Bergen in Book Club, in 2018.
The actress is no stranger to the small screen, delighting us all as Grace Hanson in the heartwarming Netflix comedy, Grace and Frankie, and has even voiced a character on the Simpsons throughout her extensive career – in which she also fronted a series of hugely successful exercise tapes.
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