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Neighbours star’s devastating diagnosis: ‘Extremely aggressive’

Neighbours star Kate Keltie is in the fight of her life after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

The actress – who played Holly Valance's sister Michelle Scully on the Aussie soap for five years between 1999 and 2004 – was recently diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and has started undergoing chemotherapy.

A GoFundMe page to help the 36-year-old pay for living and medical costs said she is going through the "unimaginable".

The Scully family pose for a promotional shot for Aussie soap Neighbours.
Kate Keltie (right) played Michelle Scully on Neighbours. Source: Channel 10

"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)," the page says.

"Given the severity of the chemotherapy that Kate requires, her oncologist advised that working and maintaining her job during this time is not an option. 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.

"Like us; you'll be feeling shocked, wondering what you can do to help. On top of emotional support, one of the best things we can offer is financial help."

A professional headshot of Kate Keltie wearing a red shirt and black blazer.
Kate Keltie has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Source: Twitter

More than $32,000 has been raised to help the Neighbours star, who posted a message of gratitude on the page to those who donated.

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"I just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support and messages and phone calls," she wrote on November 24.

"It's so 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, 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 Keltie and Ryan Moloney   at the TV Week Logies 2000 at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.
Kate Keltie and Ryan Moloney at the TV Week Logies 2000. Source: Getty

Fans also left messages of support for Kate, wishing her well as she undergoes treatment.

"I'm terribly saddened by the whole news, more so, as I came to appreciate her role as Michelle during lockdown days. No one wishes to be in Kate's position, but I do hope that every cent will be meaningful to help her to recover. Stay strong!" one wrote.

"I sincerely hope that things do get better for you and your family. Keep fighting and never give up," 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," a third added.

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