Hallmark Channel executives and talent frequently hear from viewers who are grateful for feel-good programming that temporarily distracts them from the challenges of their everyday lives, including difficult physical and mental health journeys. Watching beautiful people in beautiful settings telling beautiful stories can feel like a form of medicine sometimes.
So it’s hard to imagine those shining stars facing their own harrowing health issues behind the scenes. But in 2025, several brave Hallmark fan-favorites opened up about their personal struggles and shared intimate details of their journeys, hoping to help others feel less alone. Today we celebrate five inspiring actresses who vulnerably revealed what they’ve been dealing with over the last year, adding beauty to the world with their courage.
Lyndie Greenwood Beat Breast Cancer in 2025
“Crimetime: Freefall” star Lyndie Greenwood revealed in March that she’d been battling breast cancer, telling fans she was first diagnosed in September 2024 and underwent a double mastectomy and multiple reconstruction surgeries.
Greenwood then periodically shared updates via social media and on her Substack blog as she went through months of chemotherapy treatments. In mid-June, Greenwood excitedly shared the happy news that her doctors considered her “cured.”
Celebrating the news and her 42nd birthday in Maui, Greenwood wrote on Instagram, “My heart is so full. I feel like I’m on the verge of tears every moment. I’m so grateful for the support from you all, for the medical care I’ve received, for everything. Thank you thank you for a little more time on this earth!! I’m hugging into the ether and hoping y’all can feel it.”
Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe’s Breast Cancer Battle Will Continue in 2026
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” actress and rising Hallmark director Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe first shared her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in October, and has bravely chronicled her months-long chemo regimen on social media. Lowe has tried to work while in treatment, directing a movie remotely and even managing to attend the Hallmark Christmas Experience the weekend before Christmas (though she couldn’t hug most fans due to her low immune system).
Lowe has also been honest about some of the hard parts of her journey, from mouth sores to fatigue, and her gratitude for a support system of friends and family, including a visit from her bestie and SSD co-star Kristin Booth. Lowe, who has two young kids, is expected to complete her months-long chemo regimen in early 2026, and then undergo a double mastectomy and radiation.
When Lowe returned home from her weekend in Kansas City with fellow Hallmark stars and thousands of fans, she wrote on Instagram, “This weekend reminded me so much of who I am. Yes I have Cancer and yes I’m going through chemo but I’m also still me. And I love being in my @hallmarkchristmaskc @hallmarkchannel family. I am forever grateful. 🥹 thank you. To all the fans who spoke to me and encouraged me. You gave me so much this weekend.”
Hallmark Stars Taylor Cole & Laura Vandervoort Opened Up About Their Infertility Journeys in 2025
HallmarkMeanwhile, two other Hallmark actresses opened up about their ongoing challenges with infertility in 2025. In April, longtime Hallmark Channel star Taylor Cole vulnerably shared details of her attempts to start a family with husband Cameron Larson.
Later in the year, she revealed that while filming the fall movie “Double Scoop,” she was devastated to learn that their fifth — and likely final — round of IVF had not resulted in a pregnancy. In December, Cole told EntertainmentNow she was heading into 2026 with hope and trust that whatever is meant to be will unfold with perfect timing for her and her husband.
In July, she lovingly told her social media followers, “If you’re on this road, wherever you are, I hope you know you’re not alone. It’s hard, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s also transformative. I’m standing with you and cheering for your heart along the way with all my love.”
HallmarkIn May, “Melt My Heart This Christmas” star Laura Vandervoort opened up about her infertility struggles, too, sharing that she was on her fourth round of IVF treatments, including “injections, medications, procedures and the excruciatingly long waiting process.”
In July, Vandervoort posted a funny but honest video about the wrong things to say to someone going through the heartache of infertility. In happier news, Vandervoort and her fiancé of two years, Adam Coates, got married in early September and she has loved sharing professional photos from their gorgeous wedding.
Hallmark Star Janel Parrish Hopes Latest Endometriosis Surgery is the ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’
HallmarkJanel Parrish, whose latest Hallmark movie was 2025’s “Christmas On Duty,” has also been brave about sharing her health journey with endometriosis. The actress was honest with fans throughout the year about her painful condition, sharing in late December that she was undergoing her second surgery and hoping it would be the “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Parrish underwent her first surgery in August 2024 and one year later, she told fans she was still dealing with the “horrible, isolating disease.” Hoping to build a community of “endo sisters” and hear from others who’ve battled the condition, Parrish said in a TikTok video, “I just feel like there is so much misinformation out there, and I’m really frustrated, and I’m trying to educate myself more on this disease and learn more about it, and I feel like the more that we can shed light on it and find a community and talk about it together, the less scary and isolating it is.”
On December 19, as she recovered from a five-hour surgery, Parrish wrote on Instagram, “Finally have some hope…Endo sisters, excision surgery is the gold standard for treating endometriosis. Please please please speak to specialist if you can. Even though there’s no cure, let’s continue spreading awareness until there is one.”
We are wishing all five of these brave hearts good health and positive outcomes in 2026 and beyond (and more great movies when they’re ready!).
To all these wonderful ladies in this article, Thank you for sharing your stories. They will certainly be beacon of hope for those who are dealing with similar situations.
Life doesn’t always go the way you picture it will. Both my children cannot have their own children. IVF was a roller coaster, hopes and dreams were dashed, disappointment and heartache were our constant companions. As a parent you want to fix everything for your child, but not all things can be fixed. There is a reason that we are meant to go down the path that is laid out for us. We are grateful for what we have and keep our hearts open for what will come. My heart aches for the struggles that all these ladies are going through, it’s amazing how you can draw on your strength when you don’t think you have any left. I will keep you in my prayers.
Keeping all of you in my prayers that you will eventually get the results you want so deeply. Wishing you all wellness and happiness in 2026 and beyond!