She stuck two fingers up at cancer, built a following of thousands, and inspired a national campaign. More than three years on from the launch of #CatchUpWithCancer, Radiotherapy UK celebrates the extraordinary life, legacy and courage of Kelly ‘Kickass’ Smith.
A devoted mum with a zest for life, Kelly Smith was like many 28-year-olds, until a Stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis blew her world apart.
By late 2016, the early signs of serious illness began to cloud the Macclesfield beautician’s happy life. Eight crucial months were lost on 7 GP trips, before Kelly was rushed to A and E in unbearable pain. Diagnostics confirmed the worst possible news.
If cancer was relentless, then so was Kelly
After two surgeries and chemotherapy came a brief 6-week remission before the cancer returned. The pattern would repeat over the next two years. Gruelling treatments, brief hope, then relapse.
But if cancer was relentless, then so was Kelly, who became a determined online campaigner. She raised money and awareness: not just of cancer, but of the impact on her mental health, and her efforts to make the most of every second with son Finnley and her family. She called herself Kickass Kell, named her cancer rude names, teamed up with Dame Deborah James and created a warm, welcoming Instagram community for young women with cancer.
Time with Finnley, who was just three when Kelly was diagnosed, became more important than anything else. They crammed in as much fun as possible, and Kelly always made sure Finnley had good manners and did his chores.
‘Covid just destroyed everything’
On March 20, 2020, as the first lockdown was announced, Kelly’s fourth round of chemotherapy was paused. She was deemed clinically vulnerable and told to stay home to avoid catching Covid. Tragically, the decision to guard against Covid, meant that the cancer began to grow out of control.
Kelly’s father, Craig, said: “Covid just destroyed everything. It cut her life short. She actually was in reasonably good health until quite near the end. When they paused her chemotherapy for 12 weeks, she never received any proper treatment again. That was it.
“About three days before she died, we talked and she said it was time for Finnley to go and stay with his dad. She didn’t want him to be scarred, seeing her so poorly. I think that was the saddest, bravest thing she did. She waved him off, knowing she would never see him again, and all she wanted was to protect him.”
Kelly died in June 2020. Around 800 people lined the streets for her funeral.
Kelly’s legacy
This year, cancer patients have experienced some of the worst waits for treatment known. And for Kelly’s family that is unforgivable. Shortly after their daughter was buried, they launched the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign, pleading with decision makers to invest in cancer treatments and clear long waiting times.
In 2022, Kelly Smith was posthumously awarded the Pride of Cheshire Award. This year, a new build development on the site of a former grammar school was named in tribute to her: Kelly Smith Way.
“It always was her way,” smiles Craig. Everything in her story was of her own making. We are just so proud of her.”
With sincere thanks to the Russell family for their tireless support of the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign. Please sign the petition here to make a difference.
