Shannen Doherty’s ‘Mama Rosa’ Says ‘We’re Thankful Every Day’ for Her Daughter’s Survival, ‘And We Know There’s Years to Come’

“And we know there’s years to come,” she added of keeping the “faith.”

“So this is Mama Rosa. To me, she’s just mom,” the Beverly Hills, 90210 star, 52, announced at the top of the Christmas episode.

“I’m happy to be here,” Rosa said, though she admitted she gets a little “anxiety” being in the spotlight, as she is typically a “private” person.

As Rosa warmed up to the format chiming in on their family’s Christmas traditions, she complimented Shannen’s knack for decorating her Christmas tree every year.

Rosa got emotional for a quick moment speaking of the simple things she enjoys like seeing her daughter “up on the ladder” putting the “star or the angel” on top of the tree. Another tradition the pair share is baking Christmas cookies together.

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Shannen sounded relaxed and comfortable on her holiday episode just chilling with mom, sharing how much it is serving her soul to have addressed some of the private struggles she’s been going through.

Having her mom with her was a particularly special treat for fans who got to hear fond — and hilarious — memories of Shannen as a young girl, “unwrapping presents” prematurely and “putting them all back together” under the tree.

“I’m sure she has a lot more of that,” Shannen teased, noting that her mom will definitely coming back on for more chats.

RELATED: Shannen Doherty Is Sharing More of Her Private Life at Home Amid Courageous Stage 4 Cancer Fight

The mother-daughter duo also described how they’re not really into surprising each other with presents these days, as they get too excited while shopping together that they prefer to just pick them out and gift each other in person.

Shannen and her family, who originally hail from Memphis, Tennessee, are in California for the holidays where Shannen resides in Malibu.

“I think this year is about just being incredibly grateful that we’re here and that we get to spend time with the people that are, you know, by our sides,” Shannen shared, continuing, “Through thick and thin, that don’t walk away, that love us unconditionally and have the same sort of beliefs and morals and standards.”

“I’m just so thankful really to be here for it,” the animal activist added of the milestone of celebrating another Christmas with her “Mama Rosa” and family, along with her supportive friends.

Last January, Shannen — who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 — underwent surgery and radiation treatment when her cancer spread to her brain. At that point, it had already been metastatic, or stage 4, since 2019.

Then last month, she announced that her cancer spread to her bones. Despite the difficult setbacks, Shannen stated that her spirits are high and she’s not giving up. In fact, the newly single survivor sincerely told her mom on Monday, “I think I’m actually starting to live the happiest version of my life.”

Cancer or no cancer, it’s been a “tumultuous year” for the entire world, Shannen reminds of staying present.

A Mother-Daughter Bond & the Gift of Family Support

There is something so truly special about a mother-daughter bond. For many, nothing replaces the comfort of feeling their presence by your side.

Even for those who have lost their mothers, the gift of bringing a child into this world is eternal — and that connection for most can never be broken, even if it happens to be a more strained relationship.

Like Shannen Doherty, many people find that spending time with loved ones, like their parents, partners, or children, is helpful during a cancer battle. In an earlier interview, ovarian cancer survivor Beverly Reeves stresses how critical it is to have a supportive, loving community guiding you during your cancer battle.

‘Faith, Family, and Friends’ Helped Beverly Reeves Through Cancer Treatment

Reeves told SurvivorNet, “If I had one piece of advice for someone who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it would be to get a strong support group together. Get your close friends. If you’re connected to a faith community, get your faith community.”

“Get your family,” reminded Reeves. “Let them know what’s going on and let them help you. And sometimes that’s the most difficult thing to do, but just know that they are there. If they love you, they’re there to help you. And don’t be embarrassed.”

She continued, “Because this is a cancer that not a lot of people want to talk about. But it’s real and we need to talk about it, and we do need that help. So talk to your family and your friends and your faith community, and get that network together so they can support you and be there for you.”

An Inspiring Story of a Mother and Daughter

SurvivorNetTV’s showing of SN & You: Mother-Daughter Bond is a film that explores the mother-daughter relationship through the eyes of Erica Stolper and her mother, Melissa Berry. If you’re going through breast cancer treatment, this empowering and hopeful story of Erica and Melissa’s bond will bring a smile to your face.

Watch This Inspiring Interview — SN & You: Mother-Daughter Bond’ 

“She’s just always there for me whenever something goes wrong,” Erica shared with SurvivorNet. “And I think we’re both there for each other.”

When Erica was 7 years old, she found out Melissa had cancer; Melissa was 42 years old and had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Breaking the news to your child that you have cancer can be hard for any parent, but for Erica and Melissa, it was a bonding experience.

One morning, Melissa’s head was itching from the chemotherapy treatments; she couldn’t take it anymore, so she decided to shave her head.

Erica was interested in being a hairdresser at the time, so when she saw her mother shaving her head in their bathroom, it was a dream come true. She happily helped her mother shave her head, who has since recovered from the cancer.

“It was the first big step that she really took in her whole journey,” Erica said. “It was cool to be a part of it with her.”

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