Vanessa Hudgens Father Battles Stage 4 Cancer, Joins Taylor Swift In Revealing Parent’s Cancer Fight [Video]

Vanessa Hudgens’ father is battling to live following a stage four cancer diagnosis. Vanessa shared her heartbreaking news at what should have been a purely joyful experience as Hudgens received the Breakthrough Performer award during the 2015 Industry Dance Awards ceremony, reported MSN.

During the ceremony held in California, Vanessa revealed how her views on cancer have changed since the disease has attacked those whom she loves. The award show itself is linked to the Circle of Hope charity, which helps dancers who are cancers survivors.

“If you would have asked me two years ago what I thought of cancer I would have said, ‘Man that sucks. It’s a horrible disease,’ but that’s only because I had not been faced with it personally,” said Vanessa.

Hudgens then discussed her father’s diagnosis as well as that of her boyfriend’s mother.

“Last year, my boyfriend, Austin [Butler], lost his mom, Lori, to cancer, and my dad has just been recently diagnosed with stage four cancer,” said Vanessa.

Hudgens now hates cancer, she added. Describing how she feels about the disease as well as revealing how much she appreciates those battling it and their families, Vanessa then dedicated her award to Austin’s mother, her father, and families impacted by cancer.

“I hate cancer with every cell of my being,” Hudgens declared. “I dedicate [this award] to my boyfriend’s mom, Lori, my dad, and to all the families out there who are struggling with this, because it really takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this.”

Vanessa previously had asked for prayers on social media for her father to heal, but didn’t reveal then that he has cancer. Hudgens simply sought the most prayers possible to help her dad recover.

And she’s not alone in having a parent battling cancer. Taylor Swift’s mother also has cancer, reported Taste of Country.

Taylor shared her news on Tumblr, revealing that she had persuaded her mother to have a complete health screening. But that visit to the doctor revealed that Swift’s mother Andrea has cancer.

Throughout Taylor’s career, Andrea has been by her side, and Swift emphasized it was her mom who urged her to tell her fans just how essential it is to be checked for cancer.

“She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they’ve got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle… Or peace of mind in knowing that they’re healthy,” wrote Taylor.

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]