"Glee" actress and dancer Brittany Parks is announcing the "difficult" news that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.Parks, 38, shared her diagnosis of stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer in an emotional
Instagram post Sunday, Aug. 2. The actress appeared on the show between 2009 to 2015 as a featured dancer, performing in numerous musical numbers throughout the series. "Since my diagnosis it has been non-stop tests, doctor’s appointments, and mental rollercoasters," the actress wrote in her Instagram post. "The next year is going to be difficult, and that’s to say the least."Despite the diagnosis, Parks expressed her positive outlook in light of the health news.
"Working closely with my doctors I feel confident and at ease with the treatment plan I am currently undergoing," Parks wrote in the caption. "I WILL be okay and I will come out on the other side kicking cancers ass."
Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that lacks three common receptors used to target many breast cancer treatments, making it more difficult to treat than other types of breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It also tends to grow and spread more quickly.
Her fellow "Glee" costars rallied behind the actress and showed their support in the comment section of her post.
Heather Morris, who played cheerleader Brittany in "Glee," called Parks a "queen" and said she is "stronger than the diagnosis. I love you so deep it hurts, and I got you as you had me at my toughest. Forever and beyond."
Kevin McHale, who played glee club member Artie Abrams, also showed his support. "You are the strongest and most powerful among us. This is another, albeit hard, chapter of a long beautiful story. Love you so stupidly much it hurts," he wrote. "We got you."
Since sharing the diagnosis, Morris has set up a GoFundMe for Parks, sharing that the actress "is now immune compromised," and that "it makes it increasingly difficult for her to continue working and travelling [sic] as a she did before." Morris also described Parks as "magnificent, lively, and loving person with an infection laugh and spritely soul," adding that the diagnosis came on March 31."All funds raised will go directly to Brittany's rent, daily living expenses, food, and medical co-pays," the GoFundMe states. "Your support will give her the time and peace she needs to focus on healing and fighting her illness, without the added burden of financial worries."The GoFundMe has raised $37,884 of its $50,000 goal as of Aug. 4.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Glee' dancer Brittany Parks reveals breast cancer diagnosis
