‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Star Bravely Asks for Prayers & Support Amid Heartbreaking Family News

A former contestant from “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise” is reaching out for support from fans as her family navigates difficult news. Serene Russell took to her Instagram Stories to share her heartbreak with fans and provide ways they can help.

Serene Russell’s Mother Has Cancer

On May 15, Russell shared the news via an Instagram Story. She wrote, “On Sunday, Mother’s Day, I saw my mom and immediately became concerned with her condition during brunch.”

Russell noted she took her mom to the emergency room, but “everything came back clear.” They returned home, but Russell’s mom continued to feel unwell.

After her mom went to get checked out again, while Russell was at work, “she was diagnosed with a golf ball sized brain tumor.”

Upon finding the tumor, Russell explained, her mom was “diagnosed with stage 3-4 brain cancer.”

“I am still in shock, as this has all happened in 3 days and she had been hiding her pain/has been experiencing disorientation.” Russell noted that her mom’s symptoms only began a week ago.

The “Bachelor in Paradise” alum asked for prayers to be sent her mom’s way. She also shared a link to a GoFundMe created to raise funds for her mother’s medical costs.

She noted her mom would be getting surgery in a few days, but wrote, “her insurance does not cover it.”

Russell wrote, “We are facing many obstacles but this is my mom and I know she is strong enough to beat it.”

In addition, Russell shared, “My little brother and sister are 15 and still depend on her. We all do.” A second Instagram Story included the GoFundMe link a second time, as well as a photo of Russell with her mom, younger brother, and younger sister.

The Bachelor Nation Alum’s Mom Faces Surgery in Days

On the GoFundMe page, Russell’s mom is described as “a very strong, independent woman” who is “not one to ask for handouts.”

“Sherri is the mother to 5 wonderful children and she has been recently diagnosed with brain cancer. This is very unexpected to her, her children, and other family members,” the page for the fundraiser noted.

After her upcoming surgery, the medical team will determine the next steps, likely chemotherapy or radiation, the update added. The GoFundMe organizer explained that the surgeon does not take the insurance that Russell’s mother has, thus the family’s decision to try to crowdfund the costs.

Fans took to “The Bachelor” subreddit to share their sadness and post supportive messages about Russell’s news.

“Some of Serene’s siblings are still in their teens… it’s really just an awful situation all around. It comes out of nowhere and is just such a shock and absolutely devastating,” one person wrote.

“That’s so awful… I didn’t know she had younger siblings. Poor things,” another fan wrote.

As Us Weekly noted, Russell first appeared on Clayton Echard’s season of “The Bachelor.” She went to “Bachelor in Paradise” the following summer and immediately clicked with “The Bachelorette” alum Brandon Jones.

Jones and Russell got engaged during the “Bachelor in Paradise” finale, and talked about setting a 2024 wedding date. In May 2023, however, the pair split.

Russell recently went public with her new romance. She is now dating Brendan Morais, who did season 7 of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Morais left paradise with Pieper James, and the two quietly split after two years together.