“It’s a very curable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky,” she wrote.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. Fonda said she had six months of chemotherapy and was “handling the treatments very well,” adding, “Trust me, I’m not going to let any of this interfere with my mental function.”
“Cancer is a teacher and I focus on the lessons it gives me,” Fonda added of her diagnosis. “It’s something that’s already shown me, the importance of community. Cultivating and deepening one’s community means we’re not alone. And cancer, my age — almost 85 — certainly teaches me the importance of adapting to new realities.”
Although she is no longer addressing her current professional duties, Fonda said her activism will continue.
“We are living through the most important time in human history because what we do or don’t do now will determine what kind of future we have, and I will not let cancer stop me from doing everything I can. The tool in my toolbox and these Fire Drill Fridays are to continue to build community and make a difference.” That includes finding new ways to leverage our collective strengths,” he wrote. “The midterms are approaching and they are beyond consequential, so you can count on me to be right there with you as we grow our army of climate champions.”