Update 12/12:
We’re saddened to hear Kia Lettice has lost her battle with cancer. The brave 22-year-old had been fighting metastatic gastric ovarian cancer for eight months.
Kia came to Australia’s attention when her friend Mahalia started a social media campaign to get Beau Ryan to come and see her terminally ill friend and Ryan rushed to her bedside. He later described it as one of the most important things he’d ever done, telling The Sunday Telegraph:
“We’ve all had ups and downs, but at the end of the day if someone is in a time of need and you’re in a position to help them, that’s what we do. It’s really overwhelming, but just to hold her hand and be there, it was something that I’m very proud of to be a part of and I’d do again. It’s something anyone in the same position would do.’’
Kia reportedly died peacefully last night, surrounded by friends and family. Her mother Patti announced the tragic news on Facebook:
“It saddens me to announce that Kia Louise Lettice, my beautiful angel has passed. She passed peacefully in her sleep at Prince of Wales Hospital with loved ones around.”
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Kia’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Original story 7/12:
Former NRL star Beau Ryan has proved that not all heroes wear capes by rushing to the hospital bed of a dying cancer victim who was told she had only hours to live.
When Kia Lettice’s friends put the Facebook call out to see the terminally ill woman granted her final wish Beau headed their call.
In the post, Jillaroo and women’s sevens star Mahalia Murphy wrote of her 22-year-old friend:
“The Facebook post reads: URGENT REQUEST!!! Any assistance to boost my friend up? She is currently in Prince of Wales hospital and has roughly 4hours to live as she’s fighting cancer. She wants Greg Inglis or beau Ryan To come see her. If everyone can share this or get in contact for me this would be much appreciated.”
The post was shared hundreds of times and managed to reach Ryan within an hour. The former Sharks and Tigers player heeded the call and responded:
“Leaving Shellharbour now! See you in two hours. Tell her to stay strong.”
True to his word, hours later Kia – who suffers from ovarian cancer – was showered with well wishes from The Footy Show host in person.
By 10pm, Ms Murphy had posted to Facebook: “Thanks to everyone for making this special moment happen. Beau Ryan you are a true legend man. Can’t thank you enough for this moment.”
Murphy also shared a few snaps of Ryan and Kia smiling together.
Kia Lettice. PHOTO: Facebook.
Ms Lettice’s family also reportedly told The Daily Mail that the footy fan managed to make contact with Greg Inglis.
“She talked to Greg Inglis…he’s in Queensland but he said he will come and see her when he’s back and Ryan said he’ll make some time to come back and visit her again,” Jarrod, a relation to Kia said.
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