Entertainment

Sarah Michelle Gellar Is A Big Source Of Support For Shannen Doherty

by Amy Mackelden
Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Since being diagnosed, Shannen Doherty has become an important voice for other women all over the world living with cancer. By documenting every step of her treatment, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star has provided an open and honest account of what life with breast cancer is really like. For instance, when the actor shaved her head in July 2016, she posted step by step photos on her Instagram account, and was unafraid to let fans see her at her most vulnerable. And now, Sarah Michelle Gellar is supporting Doherty in the best way, as she continues to fight cancer.

At the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen in New York on Monday, Gellar spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the respect and awe she feels for her close friend Doherty. Gellar said,

“Shannen's incredible. What she's done for other women going through it is... so brave, and that's what real bravery is, is to go through the hardest part of your life and show people, it's OK to be scared, and it's OK to be vulnerable, and you can do it.”

The Buffy The Vampire Slayer star clearly has a great deal of respect for the very public way her friend is dealing with cancer, and it's so great to hear that Doherty is receiving so much support from those around her.

Gellar said she's been attending exercise classes with Doherty, and the actor is impressed with her friend's motivation. She told Entertainment Tonight,

"The fact that she gets up and goes to those dance classes? The last thing I want to do is go to these really hard dance classes and sweat that hard and work that hard. But I have to remind myself, if she's getting up there and doing it, then it's important that I do it, too."

Clearly, Gellar is standing by Doherty and helping her friend live a healthy and strong life, in spite of her devastating health issues.

Back in August 2015, Doherty confirmed to People that remaining healthy was integral to her life, and said, "I am continuing to eat right, exercise and stay very positive about my life." Along with the support of friends like Gellar, Doherty continues to live life to the fullest and refuses to let cancer call the shots.