Kellie Finlayson stripped off for charity on Wednesday, raising awareness about skin cancer.
The 28-year-old wife of AFL star Jeremy Finlayson was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in August 2021, three months after the birth of their daughter Sophia.
Going to Instagram as part of a partnership with Sontse and Sh!t Talkers Podcast, Kellie posed topless on a balcony while covering her chest in the black and white clip.
‘Undressed. Where we go beyond the surface to unravel the delicate conversation surrounding skin cancer. Because your skin is worth protecting and your story is worth sharing,” she captioned the video.
Earlier this week, Kellie marked three years of living with cancer with a moving and sometimes heartbreaking montage of what it’s like to be a young mother battling the deadly disease.
Her Instagram post featured confronting behind-the-scenes footage of her struggles, including being forced to wear adult diapers, dealing with hair loss and the pain of constantly undergoing medical procedures.
Kellie Finlayson (pictured) stripped naked for charity on Wednesday, raising awareness of skin cancer
Taking to Instagram as part of a collaboration with Sontse and Sh!t Talkers Podcast, Kellie posed topless on a balcony while covering her chest in the black and white clip
Finlayson captioned the post “3 years.” 3 whole fkn years, as well as a crying emoji.
Initially, her symptoms were attributed to postpartum recovery, but further tests revealed the cancer, which had already progressed significantly.
Kellie underwent intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, but faced ongoing health problems.
In December 2022, after chest pains, scans revealed her cancer had spread to her lungs, resulting in a terminal diagnosis.
Despite this, she started another round of chemotherapy in January 2023 to control the disease.
In mid-2023, Kellie shared hopeful updates as the treatment initially showed positive effects, although the cancer remained terminal.
She stopped her chemotherapy and radiation treatments to put her faith in natural therapies and alternative medicine.
However, by July this year the cancer had started growing again, prompting further consultation and a new round of chemotherapy in August.
Earlier this week, Kellie marked three years of living with cancer with a moving and sometimes heartbreaking montage of what it’s like to be a young mother battling the deadly disease. Pictured with husband Jeremy
Her Instagram post featured confronting behind-the-scenes footage of her struggles, including being forced to wear adult diapers, dealing with hair loss and the pain of constantly undergoing medical procedures.
Despite the terrible nature of her long battle, the 28-year-old has remained a loving mother
The family also decided to sell their Adelaide home at auction for $915,000 to meet her increasing needs for home care and medical equipment.
The three-year battle with cancer has taken its toll both mentally and physically, leaving Kellie with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Throughout her journey, Kellie has been open about her experiences, with the aim of raising awareness about bowel cancer and the importance of early detection.
A recent video – also posted by Jeremy – shows a lot of strength, smiling, dancing and enjoying life with her husband and daughter Sophia.
It also shows the confronting reality of living with terminal cancer: the tears, hair loss, endless medical treatments, loss of dignity and the rollercoaster of emotions Kellie endured to delay her incurable condition.
Her story has become an inspiration and a call to action for others facing similar struggles, so it’s not surprising that her latest video post has resulted in an outpouring of incredible responses.
“You will probably never fully know the lives you touched, the people you inspired, or the difference you made. You continue and give hope to so many. What a role model you are,” wrote two-time cancer survivor and mental health advocate Hugo Toohey.
“I’m absolutely in awe of you. My husband battled CRC and many of those images were familiar. You bring so much light into a dark subject, and showing the dark parts is also legendary. Carry on beautiful person,” another follower replied.
“When I just met you that one time, I was shocked when you told me you were battling cancer. You radiate life, I couldn’t believe your positivity and your shine. As many have said, you are inspiring, a beautiful soul, mother, wife and a role model to us all,” another replied.
Constant hospital visits for chemotherapy and radiation have become the new norm for Kellie over the past three years