Inspirational Solihull mum Kellie Wheeler dies aged just 35 after losing skin cancer battle

A brave Solihull mum-of-three who urged people to take care in the sun after being diagnosed with skin cancer has died at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Kellie Wheeler, 35, lost her battle against stage four advanced melanoma on Tuesday (22/03).

She passed away with her family by her side, her close friend Sarah Masters told the Birmingham Mail.

Former hotel receptionist Kellie leaves behind her husband Dean, 48, and children Taylor, 17, Louie, 13, and six-year-old Lexi.

The mum had posted inspirational messages on her Facebook page about how she was fighting skin cancer, in a bid to raise awareness.

She wanted to make people realise how important protecting themselves against the harmful rays of the sun, even though she always wore cream and was careful herself.

Kellie wrote: “I’m not brave or strong or dealing with any of it. I’m absolutely petrified, heartbroken, frightened.

“You name it, I’m feeling it.

“It’s a living hell of a nightmare that is unimaginable and the fear of leaving my beautiful children, husband, family, friends and life is something I can’t cope with…”

And she added: “P.S. Please research melanoma, please don’t use sunbeds and please protect yourselves and your children from the sun, it’s a matter of life and death.”

Kellie was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2010 when she discovered a mole on her left leg. Doctors removed the mass and she went into remission.

But she developed a pain in her chest in September last year and it was eventually discovered the cancer had returned – this time it was more advanced.

Sarah told the Birmingham Mail at the time: “People are so blasé about skin cancer. They think all doctors have to do is cut out a mole and everything’s fine.

“But Kellie says it isn’t just skin cancer when it affects all of the organs in your body.”

Former barmaid Kellie was told she has several tumours in her left and right lung, as well as her pancreas, kidney, breast and adrenal gland.

Mum-of-three Sarah has been friends with Kellie for 15 years after they worked together at the Black Horse pub in Small Heath.

She said: “Kellie has never been a sun lover. She is quite pale and much preferred Weston-Super-Mare and Brean, than anywhere abroad.

“Whenever she went out in the sun she always wore protection. She wants people out there to know the dangers of skin cancer and what it can do.

“She wants sun beds banned in this country.

“My friend is in a wheelchair and she cannot do anything for her kids or family. Before this happened, Kellie would do anything for anyone and would turn up to your house with a bunch of flowers if you needed cheering up.

“She was a real super mum to her children.”

Before her death, Kellie’s friends were desperately trying to raise money through a GoFundMe page in order to help out her family – currently they have raised more than £9,000.

* To donate to Kellie’s page, go to www.gofundme.com/tr3qpnvw

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/inspirational-mum-kellie-wheeler-dies-11090416