Lorraine Kelly expressed her ‘devastation’ after learning that one of her employees with terminal cancer ‘had a little time left’.
The 63-year-old anchor revealed Hannah Hawkins, a member of her crew, had ‘deteriorated’ on social media this week.
Hannah was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and was declared cancer-free the following year.
However, only two days before the birth of her son Rory in August of this year, she was informed that her cancer had returned.
Her husband Tom revealed in an Instagram post her condition had rapidly deteriorated and ‘the time we have left is short’.
Sharing a message of support, Lorraine commented on Tom’s post: ‘What a beautiful photo of Hannah and baby Rory. I’m so sorry Tom and sending you so much love.’
She then shared Tom’s post on her own account, adding: ‘This is Hannah. She’s a much-loved part of our Lorraine team and recently gave birth to her gorgeous son Rory.
‘Amidst the joy of his arrival was the devastation of her cancer worsening. We are all deeply saddened and sending our love to Hannah’s family – and to her husband Tom who posted this last night.’
Tom’s post read: ‘Just wanted to say we are truly overwhelmed by the love and well wishes we’ve received over recent weeks and completely blown away by the generosity shown towards the Just Giving fund for Rory.
‘Therefore, I felt it only fair to share that Hannah’s condition has continued to deteriorate to the point where, amongst other things, she’s not able to use her phone anymore.
‘I am trying to keep an eye on her messages so even though you won’t get a reply please know I am passing on your support and it is hugely appreciated.’
He continued: ‘Hannah has always wanted to be open about her condition and raise awareness along the way, as those who followed her journey through her first diagnosis three years ago will know.
‘It had been her intention to keep writing and posting about her progress this time around, however the speed and aggression of the cancer has left her unable to.
‘There are no words to describe events of the last couple of months, and we know the time we have left is short but the support we have had from everyone has been an enormous comfort. Thank you all – Tom x.’
Hannah joined Lorraine in September 2022, having previously worked at Capital Radio.
She had one round of IVF, 23 rounds of chemotherapy, one lumpectomy, and nine radiation treatments after discovering a lump in her breast.
Hannah did a charity walk across the Sahara to raise cash for CoppaFeel! and continues to raise breast cancer awareness on her social media channels after obtaining the all-clear.
However, after learning that her cancer had returned, she posted a selfie from the hospital.
At the time she told her followers: ‘Well. This is certainly not where I planned spending maternity leave, where’s the coffee shops and rhyme time?’
She said two days before Rory was born, they were told ‘the worse news you’ll ever hear’.
‘It’s back and it’s back with a vengeance. It wants the last laugh,’ she wrote.
How to check for signs of breast cancer
CoppaFeel! offers these simple steps on how to check your own chest for signs of cancer.
Look
- Look at your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling.
Feel
- Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side.
Notice your nipples
- Look at each of your nipples.
Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple
While Hannah said she was facing new mum guilt being away from her son whilst undergoing treatment, she ‘knew it was for him’ and ‘had no choice but to feel optimistic’.
‘It’s hard to know what’s newborn exhaustion or chemo but I’m doing ok,’ she said.
Hannah went on to write that while it was ‘corny as hell’, people should ‘take life seriously’ by ‘being silly, searching out the joy, doing that adventure and making that brave decision’.
‘You’re only here once and none of us know how long for,’ she added.
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.