Friends actress Lauren Tom is asking fans for prayers after revealing that her 25-year-old daughter, Ellie, is facing a heartbreaking cancer battle.

Tom, beloved by Friends fans for playing Julie, Ross Geller’s girlfriend in the hit sitcom’s second season, shared the emotional news on Instagram Sunday, posting a series of photos of her daughter and telling followers that Ellie has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

“I wanted to share some tough news today,” Tom wrote. “This is my beautiful daughter, Ellie. She is currently battling osteosarcoma (bone cancer).”

The 64-year-old actress said her family is doing everything possible to help Ellie through the difficult fight ahead, while leaning on loved ones, medical professionals, and fans for support.

Tom said the diagnosis has brought to mind one of Fred Rogers’ most famous lessons: “Look for the helpers.”

“In that light,” she wrote, “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. It is truly humbling to see how willing people are to reach out and help.”

The actress, who has spent decades making audiences laugh and smile, then made a deeply personal plea to her followers as Ellie begins what Tom described as a long road toward recovery.

“We have a long journey ahead of us,” Tom wrote. “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?”

Tom described her daughter in glowing terms, calling Ellie “an amazing, deep, sensitive, wise, strong, brave, intelligent, and funny soul. Beautiful inside and out.”

She later left another loving message directly on Ellie’s Instagram page, telling her daughter she was strong and brave while making it clear she believes Ellie can beat the disease.

The news quickly struck a chord with fans, many of whom know Tom best from one of the most famous sitcoms in television history.

Tom appeared on Friends during Season 2 as Julie, the woman Ross Geller, played by David Schwimmer, begins dating after returning from China. Her arrival created one of the show’s most memorable romantic complications, as Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, struggled to hide her lingering feelings for Ross.

Although her Friends role remains one of her most recognizable, Tom’s career stretches far beyond the Central Perk universe.

She first broke through in the 1993 film The Joy Luck Club and later became a major force in voice acting, lending her talents to animated favorites including Futurama, King of the Hill, and American Dad!

Now, however, Tom’s attention is focused on her daughter’s health.

Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that most often develops in the arms or legs. Treatment commonly includes chemotherapy and surgery, though outcomes can vary depending on whether the cancer has spread beyond the bone.

For Tom, the public message was not just an update. It was a mother’s plea for strength, prayers, and encouragement as her daughter faces a frightening diagnosis at just 25 years old.

“Thank you so much for reading and for your support,” Tom wrote.