'7th Heaven' Star Battles Hodgkin's

Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at 3:36 PM Central

by Heather Koehler

The Camden family may face drama all week long on the WB channel, but everyone is saying their prayers for show co-star Barry Watkins.

The 28-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, a form lymphatic cancer. Barry plays Matt Camden the oldest of the children.

"He begins treatment this week, and both he and his doctors are extremely optimistic about a full recovery," his publicist reported.

Barry just finished his sixth and final season with the show. '7th Heaven' is WB's top-rated program and will try to continue its success without the heart throb.