
Courtesy/CBS
In January 1997, Herrera was diagnosed with a rare and usually fatal lymphoma. He underwent an autologous stem cell transplant at Sloan-Kettering and a donor transplant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, which made medical history. In remission for 10 years, he wrote “The Cancer War”, www.thecancerwar.com. In October of 2005 Anthony testified for Senator Arlen Specter on stem cell research. He gave a lecture on “The Human Spirit” at MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering, and St. Jude’s in Memphis, TN. It can be viewed on www.anthonyherrera.org.
Herrera’s former co-star, Martha Byrne (Ex-Lily) took to twitter tonight to voice her sadness at the news tweeting, “RIP Anthony Herrera…so many great memories…. He loved that dog pictured with him on Facebook….He died in a place he loved…God Bless…. He wrote the book The Cancer War...please read it if you can. It would make him so happy….he fought that and won many times.”
It seems so parallel in some ways that Herrera, whose Stenbeck came back from the dead over and over in Oakdale, did so in real life coming back several times from cancer. On-Air On-Soaps sends are thoughts and prayers to the Herrera family, and to all of ATWT fans who loved his tremendous portrayal that scared the living daylights out of the townfolk of Oakdale.
We will continue to follow this story in the coming days. But for now, watch below a promo clip of Herrera in action as James Stenbeck as he takes a look at how to avoid being murdered on a soap.