An actress who played a member of the much-loved Scully family in Aussie soap Neighbours has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at the age of 36. Kate Keltie played Michelle Scully, the youngest of the Scully girls, in the soap from 1999 to 2004.
Michelle was the sister of Holly Vallance's character Felicity and Carla Bonner's Steph. It has now been reported that Kate's cancer has spread to several parts of her body. A GoFundMe page has been set up with a goal of $25,000AUD (£13,800) to cover costs throughout her chemotherapy treatment.
On the platform, organiser Ebony Gilbert wrote: "Our beautiful Kate is going through the unimaginable. She was recently diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Her cancer is extremely aggressive and it has spread to other parts of her body, including her lymph nodes, blood and hip bones (known as metastatic cancer).
"She will lose her gorgeous hair and cannot carry children in the future. This is devastating news for anyone, let alone at the age of 36, with no family history of breast cancer. Kate will then require chemo infusions every three weeks for the rest of her life, and potentially radiotherapy and surgery too."
The GoFundMe page has so far raised $31,510 AUD, surpassing its goal of $25,000AUD, reports OK!
The brave actress has since given an update on the page, writing: "Hi everyone. I am so sorry I haven't had a chance to thank you all personally yet - stay with me, I'll get there!
"I just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support, and messages and phone calls. It's so amazing to know I have so many incredible people in my corner."
She added: "I've just got over COVID and I start my first round of chemotherapy tomorrow, and you really have no idea how my head space has changed going into it because of each and every one of you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Kate x."
She has received messages of support on the account, with many fans remembering the star from her days on the iconic soap.
One person wrote: "Kate, as a UK fan of Neighbours since its beginning, you and the rest of the Scully’s remain close to my heart. I’m glad that it sounds like you have a great support network, but know also that your Neighbours family is rooting for you all the way."
Another said: "As a Neighbours fan I want to thank you for your wonderful legacy on the show as the youngest member of the Scully family. Wishing you every best wish and prayer as you go through this Kate. Hugs from Ireland."
