Jane Fonda Announces Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis

Jane Fonda announced that she had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Photo credit: Jon Kopaloff/Stringer/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Jane Fonda has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma — a type of blood cancer — and started treatment for the disease, according to a post on the actress’ Instagram.

“This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky,” the actress wrote on her Instagram, announcing that she will be undergoing chemotherapy treatment for six months and is handling treatments well so far.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that originated in the lymphatic system (a key player in the immune system).

Fonda, aged 84, said that she will not let her diagnosis get in the way of her climate change activism, and that she feels lucky to have health insurance and community support around her.

“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,” Fonda said in the post. “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.”

Fonda’s Netflix series “Grace and Frankie” just finished its final season in April, but she first rose to fame in the 1960s and 70s, when she stared in many comedy and dramatic movies. Later, in 1982, she released the “Jane Fonda’s Workout” video, which became the highest-selling VHS of the 20th century.

After announcing her diagnosis, Fonda received an outpouring of support on social media.

“Love you, Jane. Thinking of you, always,” comedienne Chelsea Handler commented.

“Sending you all my strength. Love you Jane,” said actress and producer Reese Witherspoon.

“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,” Fonda said.

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