Shannen Doherty Absent From Beverly Hills, 90210 Reunion Amid Cancer Battle But Gets Touching T…

Now we’re crying.

Most of the original cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 reunited at REWind Con in Chicago Saturday, some 26 years after the cult drama series premiered. Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh, was absent, as she is battling breast cancer. She recently underwent weeks of chemotherapy and said in late October she was set to have radiation treatments.

But one of her former co-stars who did attend the reunion had her in her thoughts: Jennie Garth.

The actress, who played Brenda’s frenemy Kelly Taylor, posted a touching message to Shannen on her Instagram page that day.

“To my soul sister @theshando strongest lady i’ve ever known. then and now,” Jennie wrote. “i used to be threatened by your spirit, now i’m in awe of it. you’ve taught me a lot about speaking my mind and not being afraid of my power. i’m so grateful that young me got to be friends with you. but especially ‘old’ me! the best is yet to come on this crazy journey!! love you! #fightlikeagirl #fightlikebrenda #aries”

Jennie’s message also contained the words “Fight like a Brenda,” written in pink, along a pink ribbon promoting breast cancer awareness.

Shannen reposted Jennie’s message, adding, “I’m so proud of this friendship and the mutual respect and admiration we have for each other.”

Shannen spent a quiet Saturday with her husband, Kurt Iswarienko.

Shannen and Jennie have reunited several times over the years, as have other former Beverly Hills, 90210 cast members.

In addition to Jennie, the show alumni who attended REWind Con Saturday were Jason Priestley (Brenda’s twin brother Brandon Walsh), James Eckhouse (their father Jim Walsh), Tori Spelling (Donna Martin), Christine Elise (Emily Valentine, Brandon—and Jason’s former flame), Luke Perry (Dylan McKay, Brenda and Kelly’s love interest), SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea Zuckerman) and Vincent Young (Noah Hunter, who made his first appearance in season eight).

The group sat down for a panel discussion and met with fans.

Several of the actors posted photos from the reunion on their Instagram pages.

Several of the 90210 peeps also bumped into Backstreet Boys A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough.

“Luke Perry just compared me to Florence Henderson,” Jennie joked on Twitter.

Aside from Shannen, original cast members Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders), Brian Austin Green (David Silver) and Carol Potter (Brenda and Brandon’s mother Cindy Walsh) were also absent.

However, Ziering, who is away at R.I. Comic Con, joined Jason, Jennie, Tori and Gabrielle on FaceTime.

“We have #90210 all reunions all the time, even digitally,” he wrote. “♥ U like family @torispelling @jenniegarth @Gabriellecarteris @jason_priestley.”