The holiday season is inescapable as Christmas lights and decorations and the aroma of holiday dinners fill the air. The season is also often enveloped in gratitude, where loved ones converge and give thanks for the year that was and what is on the horizon. These cheerful sentiments tend to have added meaning for cancer warriors in the midst of their journeys.
SurvivorNet loves to shine a light on celebrity cancer survivors who often share their journeys to offer hope and joy to other people during the holidays. We collected some beautiful and some moving well wishes and cards posted to Instagram just as the holiday moves into high gear.
Duane “Dog” Chapman
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Jaime Otis
The “Married at First Sight” star Jamie Otis revealed to her supporters that she has a high-risk strain of a common virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). It showed cervical dysplasia, which can be a sign of cancer. She shared that she would have to wait to give birth before getting her diagnosis.
Her family’s adorable card was a happy accident; she wrote, saying, “Holiday card photos…did not go as planned.???? To get our toddler to smile, we literally had to hang her upside down, tickle her & smother her with kisses, stick our tongues out, give her a “milkshake (which was really just milk, ice, a handful of spinach & a banana blended????), and bring an armless Mrs. Potato head out.”
Selma Blair
While this does not appear to be an official holiday greeting, Blair, who underwent chemotherapy to help treat her multiple sclerosis, has shared on Instagram her gratefulness for the love and support of her friends. She poses with actor Ron Perlman and wishes a “happy holidays from the #bprd and Us!”
Jean Trebek
Jean Trebek is the widow of the late “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, who battled stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She shared a post asking, “What are some of your most cherished holiday traditions?” (The inspiring game show host had his annual staff Christmas party — you can read all about it, including his surprise guests, here.)
Shannon Miller
Gymnast Shannon Miller, 46, won 7 Olympic medals, beat ovarian cancer, had two children, and now she is on a mission to make sure women pay attention to their health. The awe-inspiring mom and athlete, who also has a special holiday message for the SurvivorNet community, is getting into the holiday spirit in a big way.
This cute one just stole our hearts!
Hoda Kotb
The ‘Today’ show’s Hoda Kotb is a breast cancer survivor who is living her best life. The beloved mother of two, she has never looked happier. While her holiday card was not posted on Instagram, she did share this great photo with the message “Happy Christmas Eve.”
Abby Lee Miller
What a year the star of “Dance Moms” has had. Learning to walk again and back on Season 8 of her hit show, Miller is an inspiration. “On the first night of Hanukkah,” she posted, “I wish love and light to all!”
Ethan Zohn
“Survivor” star previously spoke with SurvivorNet about how he dealt with his anxiety and depression after cancer, and we’re thrilled to see he was up for anything when he posted that he’d “love to send … a personalized video shout out for #channukah #christmas #NewYear!!”
Hugh Jackman
Actor Hugh Jackman, 55, who has had multiple bouts of skin cancer, definitely is in the running for best Christmas sweater. “I can’t believe I agreed to wear the matching underwear too,” he wrote, placing blame firmly in the court of his pal Ryan Reynolds.
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I can't believe I agreed to wear the matching underwear too. #thesweaterreturns
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