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Few actors balance terror and humor like Kathy Bates, who\u2019s won acclaim for her roles in Misery<\/em>, Primary Colors<\/em>, American Horror Story: Coven<\/em>, and more. But her most powerful role yet may be real life.<\/p>\n Now 75, Bates is a two-time cancer survivor living with lymphedema, an incurable lymphatic disease caused by the removal of lymph nodes during cancer treatment. After surviving ovarian cancer in 2003 and breast cancer in 2012, she developed the condition, which causes painful swelling and can be emotionally devastating.<\/p>\n \u201cI went berserk,\u201d she told Kelly Clarkson in 2019, recalling her reaction to the diagnosis. \u201cI was bitter, I was depressed. I thought my career was over.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the challenges, Bates found strength through treatment, compression therapy, and advocacy. As national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network, she now raises awareness for the estimated 10 million Americans living with lymphedema\u2014more than those affected by ALS, MS, Parkinson\u2019s, and AIDS combined.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people just have light inside,\u201d she said of the expert who helped her cope. Bates says she feels \u201cblessed\u201d to use her celebrity to help others.<\/p>\n Most recently seen in The Miracle Club<\/em> (2023), the Tennessee-born actor continues to inspire with her resilience, honesty, and impact beyond the screen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Few actors balance terror and humor like Kathy Bates, who\u2019s won acclaim for her roles in Misery, Primary Colors, American Horror Story: Coven, and more. But her most powerful role yet may be real life. Now 75, Bates is a two-time cancer survivor living with lymphedema, an incurable lymphatic disease caused by the removal of…<\/p>\n