Published May 31, 2021

‘Reflect on Our Blessings’; Actress and Cancer Survivor Fran Drescher Celebrates Memorial Day with a Message of Gratitude

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Practicing Gratitude on Memorial Day

Actress Fran Drescher is celebrating Memorial Day by sharing a thoughtful message: practice gratitude.
The 63-year-old will celebrate 21 years cancer-free on June 21. Through her cancer journey, and beyond, she’s relied on positive thinking to get her through tough times.
Living with gratitude can be a very useful practice for everyone including cancer patients.

Memorial Day serves as a day of remembrance for those we’ve lost in the military. Some people celebrate the holiday with a trip to the beach or cookouts with friends, but it is not a care-free day for all. Cancer survivor Fran Drescher shared her thoughts on the complex nature of the holiday and encouraged her followers to reflect on their blessings.

The 63-year-old actress best known for her role as Fran Fine on the 90's sitcom The Nanny took to Instagram to share an important message this holiday weekend under a picture of her hugging her ex-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson.

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“Memorial Day. 4 some a celebration 4 others sadness but 4 all Americans a day 2 settle dwn & reflect on our blessings,” she wrote. “Such a beautiful natural world. Pls hold love in ur heart & practice kindness & compassion w/ all creatures gr8 & small. Wake Up! This is why we exist. Take the journey w/ that in mind & u will be on the right path2 heaven…”

But this message of gratitude is not a one-day deal for Drescher. June 21, 2021, will mark 21 years cancer-free for the actress. She was diagnosed with stage one uterine cancer after an initial misdiagnosis and treatment for a peri-menopausal condition when she was in her 40s. She underwent a radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and surrounding structures), and now she's happily many years out from her cancer battle.

Through it all, Drescher found “incredible silver linings” and wants people to learn from her experience. Earlier this month, she spoke with Janine Rubenstein for a PEOPLE Every Day podcast episode to share an update on her life and told Rubenstein all the things she was grateful for her dog, her gay ex-husband, her parents, friends, art, music, flower-arranging and so much more. Her outlook on life can serve as an important reminder that no matter what we’re going through there are things to be grateful for.

'The Nanny' Star Fran Drescher Celebrates 20 Years of Being Cancer Free with a Virtual Cabaret

"I love living in gratitude and in grace," Drescher told Rubenstein. "I'm a Buddhist, and I try and keep refining myself on this journey. And if you look at everything that's presented to you as an opportunity, even if it's a terrible thing, you will learn that sometimes the best gifts come in the ugliest packages."

In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Drescher gave advice to other cancer warriors that emphasized the importance of weighing your options and keeping your mental health in check.

"If you are a cancer patient or was just diagnosed with cancer, you may, undoubtedly, be very frightened. I know that I was,” Drescher said. “The best decision you make is an informed decision and to start increasing mind, body and spirit balance as much as you can."

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