Marcia Cross and Her Husband Both Survived Cancer — Glimpse into Their Family

Marcia Cross was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2017, eight years after her husband, Tom Mahoney, had his cancer diagnosis. Here’s a look at the couple’s family and story of survival.

Marcia Cross began her fairytale love story in June 2006, after marrying Tom Mahoney, who, like her, was in his 40s.

The couple welcomed their first set of healthy children the following year, fraternal twin girls, Eden and Savannah.

A MOTHER AT 45

Cross was 45 years old by the time she became a mother, although she wished her journey into motherhood began a decade sooner. She shared:

“I wanted to have kids in my 30s, but I just couldn’t get it together. I don’t think people want to wait. (...) It’s sad having kids so late because you want to be alive for as long as possible fro them.”

The “Desperate Housewives” star was previously engaged to Richard Jordan, who sadly passed away due to a brain tumor in 1993.

Cross was put on bed rest for weeks after giving birth, leaving her “bored out of her mind, so she said, ‘Bring the camera here - I want to act.”

The following year, Fawcett started her own foundation, Farrah Fawcett Foundation, in hopes of finding a cure to the disease.

Despite having kids late in her life, the actress embraced motherhood with open arms. “Motherhood is like being madly in love,” she described it.

JOURNEY TO MOTHERHOOD

Cross adapted to motherhood well, setting an everyday routine, which included feeding, burping, and changing the diapers of her kids.

After pumping milk, the actress would devote a little time to herself. The mother-of-two also mastered nursing her twins at the same time. Although she is most likely done having children, she understands why other parents keep wanting more.

Cross lost her pregnancy weight in no time, as she attended hour-long workouts continuously or whenever she could. The exercises mostly consisted of cardio on the treadmill for an hour and half an hour doing lunges and weights.

Sadly, tragedy struck her family when her husband was diagnosed with cancer, followed by her own cancer diagnosis years after.

FIGHTING CANCER

In 2009, the actress’ husband was diagnosed with cancer and sought treatment and therapy to battle the fatal illness. Eight years after, Cross was diagnosed with anal cancer, which is suspected to be from Mahoney’s sickness, HPV.

HPV can be transferred from human to human through skin contact and sexual intercourse, causing cancer of the cervix and genitals.

The “One Life to Live” star spoke about her illness in hopes of raising awareness for others who may not know of the disease.

Luckily, early immunization can help prevent HPV, which causes cancer, and she plans for her children to get this through vaccination. Both Cross and her husband went through the needed chemotherapy and are now well and living a healthy life.

FARAH FAWCETT’S DIAGNOSIS

Farah Fawcett was another Hollywood star who battled anal cancer after her 2006 diagnosis. Throughout her battle, the “Charlie’s Angels” star remained open about her illness and became an advocate on cancer issues.

The following year, Fawcett started her own foundation, Farrah Fawcett Foundation, in hopes of finding a cure to the disease.

Sadly, the actress lost her battle with cancer despite trying several treatments and alternatives. Fawcett died on June 25, 2009.