“Teen Wolf” Actor Colton Haynes Loses Sister To Cancer — “I Just Feel Absolutely Gutted That Our Family Can't Be Together”

Arrow actor and Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes posted a tribute to his sister Julie on Instagram sharing that she had passed away from an unknown cancer.

“I'm at a loss for words. My beautiful sister Julie passed away from a long battle with cancer,” Haynes wrote. “My heart hurts. Trying my hardest to focus on being grateful that she doesn't have to suffer any longer.”

Haynes also wrote that he and his family will not be able to mourn together during this difficult time as social distancing is still recommended during Covid-19. This comes two years after Haynes’ mother Dana passed away from cirrhosis.

“I just feel absolutely gutted that our family can't be together to hold one another during this crippling time,” Haynes wrote.

View this post on Instagram

I'm at a loss for words. My beautiful sister Julie passed away from a long battle with Cancer. My heart hurts. Trying my hardest to focus on being grateful that she doesn't have to suffer any longer & remembering all the incredible times we've had together…but I just feel absolutely gutted that our family can't be together to hold one another during this crippling time. I love you❤️

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Apr 9, 2020 at 9:40am PDT

Losing A Loved One From Cancer

Supportive communities are critical for cancer patients, but if a patient passes away away, it can obviously take a very serious toll on family members’ mental health.

Camila Legaspi, who lost her mother to breast cancer, talked to SurvivorNet about the steps she took to cope with losing her mother to cancer specifically therapy.

“The reality is when you lose someone, it's really, really, really hard. And it's totally OK to talk to someone, and I'm so happy that I talked to my therapist,” Legaspi said.

Social Distancing During Covid-19

The ongoing outbreak is proving to have a huge impact on family members. In order to keep staff and patients safe and healthy during the pandemic, some hospitals have suspended family visitation, making it difficult for family members to be with loved ones during difficult treatments.

Seeing as Covid-19 is a respiratory virus, people living with cancer are especially vulnerable. However, with social distancing and family visitations being suspended, many patients are left to deal with treatment alone. The SurvivorNet community asked Dr. Jeffrey Weber, Deputy Director of The Perlmutter Cancer Center, how family members will be able to advocate for loved ones during this uncertain time.

"I don't think they're going to be able to," Dr. Weber admits. "I don't think that'll happen. If a doctor has to intubate without the family present to inform them that's incredibly tough."

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