Sarah Michelle Gellar reacts to Shannen Doherty’s death

Sarah Michelle Gellar has spoken out after her long-time friend Shannen Doherty has died.

“How do you even find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship? I keep reminding myself that it only hurts so much because there was so much love,” Gellar began on Monday, July 15, alongside a series of photos on Instagram. “Thank you for all your kind words and support. I love all the messages about how important @theshando was to you. So let’s honor her.”

Gellar encouraged fans to support the animal nonprofit Lange Foundation.

“Shan loves animals more than anything, especially dogs. In her memory, let’s support our favorite animal charities. Whether it’s donating money, stopping by your local shelter and just offering cuddles and walks to the animals they house, or simply tagging her in the comments so other people can learn about the work she does,” she wrote. “I know it would make our girl happy (and give her that deep, throaty laugh we all loved so much) 💔 💔💔.”

publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed to We weekly on Sunday, July 14, that Doherty had lost her battle with cancer at the age of 53.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of battling the disease,” the statement said. “The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones and her dog, Bowie. The family requests privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”

Related: Celebrity deaths 2024: These are the stars we lost this year

Hollywood mourned the loss of many celebrities in 2024. Speed ​​​​Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died in a fatal plane crash on January 5 at the age of 51. Oliver was on his way home from a Caribbean vacation on January 4 with his two daughters – Madita and Annik, whom he had with his wife Jessica Klepser. (…)

Doherty was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2015. The actress went public with her battle with the disease in 2017 after she went into remission. At the time, Doherty shared that the cancer had returned. In November 2023, she shared that the cancer had spread to her bones.

Many of Doherty’s famous friends stood by her throughout her continued fight, including 47-year-old Gellar.

“Our relationship has grown because we have grown,” Gellar said E! News in February of their long-standing friendship. “We have had experiences and life is complicated. And we were able to experience it together, so we grow together.”

Fans got a glimpse into the close relationship between Doherty and Gellar, which first formed in the 1990s when they starred in The WB’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer And Charmedwhen they experienced the COVID-19 lockdown together in 2020.

“You’ve allowed my kids to have such a life during COVID, and I’ve really struggled to give them that freedom and that space to be kids and have adventures,” Gellar Doherty said during an episode of the “Let’s Be Clear” podcast in February. “And you opened your home to us during COVID in a way that I will be grateful for for the rest of my life.”

Related: Shannen Doherty’s battle against cancer in her own words

For Shannen Doherty, it was important to be “as honest as possible” about her battle with cancer. The actress first battled breast cancer between March 2015 and April 2017 and announced in February 2020 that the disease had returned. “In a few days or a week, it will come out that – (…)

Gellar shares Charlotte, 14, and Rocky, 11, with husband Freddie Prinze Jr.and she praised Doherty for giving them “adventure” and “freedom.”

“People don’t know this, but Shannen would sometimes sit there while they were in Zoom school and help them. We would have blackouts and she would plan adventures,” Gellar continued. “It was such a special time.”

Gellar also praised Doherty’s strength in various interviews over the years.

“She is incredible,” said Gellar Access to Hollywood in October 2023. “If you talk about a warrior, she is a warrior. She lives every day and she fights. There are ups and downs and there are days that are harder than others and there are days that are easier, but she is doing great.”