"Fight of her life": Neighbours star's devastating diagnosis
Neighbours star Kate Keltie has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, as she prepares for the "fight of her life" through aggressive treatment.
The actress, 36, who played Holly Valance's sister Michelle on the soap for five years from 1999 to 2004, was given the shock diagnosis recently.
Her cancer is so aggressive it has rapidly spread to other parts of her body, including her lymph nodes, blood and hip bones.
In order to help her fight the disease, a GoFundMe page has been set up.
"Our beautiful Kate is going through the unimaginable... This week the fight of her life begins as she starts chemotherapy," the fundraising page states.
"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."
Supporters of Kate have already donated more than $30,000 to the page.
Kate said she was touched by the outpouring of support and expressed her gratitude for those who have sent her well wishes.
"It's amazing to know I have so many incredible people in my corner. I've just got over Covid and I start my first round of chemotherapy tomorrow," she said in a statement.
"You 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."
Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock - Fremantle Media