ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Heartbreaking final message of mum who died of leukaemia on Christmas Day

Less than a month after she was diagnosed with the disease. - by Grace Back
  • 29 Dec 2017

Kirsten Hawksey, a 23-year-old mother-of-one who tragically passed away on Christmas Day less than a month after being diagnosed with leukaemia, has posted a heart-wrenching final message on Facebook.

The mother of 15-month-old Penelope was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia on November 27, and on December 25th her fight with the horrible disease would come to an end.

Posting to Facebook on December 3 - the day she started chemotherapy - Kirsten left the world in tears. 

The post reads, 'This is by all means not a cry for sympathy because that's not like me as you will be aware haha, but more so awareness. I never go to the doctors, so thank god for everyone pushing me to go over some unexplained bruising!

'I literally couldn't thank all my family, friends and work colleagues for all their support this last week. If anything I feel more lucky than unlucky.

The heartbreaking note intended for her friends and family touched so many more than Kirsten could have even imagined. 

Kirsten Hawksey

Kirsten's father Neil explained to the Liverpool Echo how his 'gorgeous and strong-willed' daughter had noticed bruising on her legs which she initially ignored.

He said, 'She actually Googled the symptom and it came back saying leukaemia. But it was just laughed off, because she wasn’t sick.'

Neil then explains as the bruising got worse Kirsten went to the doctors and after several blood tests was immediately admitted to hospital to start an intensive round of chemotherapy. 

After chemo Kirsten was allowed to return home for Christmas, however she contracted a lung infection, which caused her immune system to crash. 

Kirsten's family are not dwelling on her tragic passing though, but instead using it as a way to spread awareness about early detection. 

Neil said, 'We didn’t even know she had posted that message on Facebook - Kirsten was very private so it was a massive shock that she had.

'But she obviously wanted to raise awareness and that is why we are speaking out to honour her wishes.'

Her father also explained how Kirsten had felt perfectly 'normal' in the days leading up to her diagnosis, apart from noticing the bruising.

'We are devastated and I don’t know what we would have done without Penelope. But we will make sure she never forgets her mum.' 

Our thoughts are with all of Kirsten's friends and family at this difficult time. 

Kirsten Hawksey

This article originally appeared on New Idea.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Mums battling rare blood cancer together become best friends: 'I'm going to kick cancer's butt!'

Mums battling rare blood cancer together become best friends: 'I'm going to kick cancer's butt!'

We missed all the signs

We missed all the signs

My festive stress turned out to be deadly

My festive stress turned out to be deadly

Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle stops cancer treatment to spend last days with wife and daughters

Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle stops cancer treatment to spend last days with wife and daughters

{headline}

{headline}

Woman accidentally texts wrong number asking for dress advice and changes a life!

Woman accidentally texts wrong number asking for dress advice and changes a life!

TV presenter's wife dies of leukaemia 3 days after diagnosis

TV presenter's wife dies of leukaemia 3 days after diagnosis

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

{headline}

{headline}

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!