What To Know
- Jeana Keough, former star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
- Her children, Kara and Shane Bosworth, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Jeana’s medical expenses.
- Fans and celebrities have expressed an outpouring of support and prayers.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star Jeana Keough has been diagnosed with tongue cancer, her daughter, Kara Bosworth, and son, Shane Bosworth, confirmed on social media.
On Sunday, July 19, the siblings took to Instagram with a lengthy, joint post directing followers to a GoFundMe campaign created to help pay for Jeana’s medical expenses.
“If you’ve ever been touched by Jeana’s kindness, generosity, or friendship — or if you’d simply like to help someone who has spent her life helping others — please consider reading her story,” they wrote alongside a link to the fundraiser. “Thank you for helping us carry her through this.”
In the GoFundMe description, Kara explained, “A few months ago, while visiting Shane and me in Florida, my mom mentioned a painful spot on her tongue. She assumed a tooth had been rubbing against it and had even gone to the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down.”
She continued, “I asked her how long the sore had been there. She paused, thought about it, and realized it had been nearly a year. A biopsy confirmed our worst fear: squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.”
Kara went on to explain that Jeana — who appeared in the first five seasons of RHOC from 2006 to 2010 — underwent surgery to remove the cancer. However, during a second surgery to remove lymph nodes, doctors discovered the cancer had spread.
“What we thought would be a one-time surgery became a full cancer battle,” she wrote. “Jeana is now in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. The treatments are relentless. She is exhausted, struggling to stay awake, and becoming malnourished because the pain in her tongue and throat makes swallowing even the smallest bites or sips incredibly difficult. Every day is a battle just to get enough nutrition and hydration to continue treatment.”
As of writing, more than $20,000 of the $22,000 goal had been raised.
In the comments of the Instagram post, followers showered Keough and her family with prayers and well-wishes. Bachelor alum Amanda Stanton wrote, “Sending all the love and prayers.”
Another Instagram user shared, “Thinking of your family during this time and praying for healing days ahead.”
Someone else echoed, “Praying for your sweet mama!”
Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user commented, “Sending you all the love & prayers.”