EastEnders' Kellie Bright shares heartbreaking family update as two young cousins battle leukaemia
EastEnders star Kellie Bright has taken to Instagram to share a heartbreaking update on the conditions of her two young cousins, who are both battling leukaemia.
Bright posted a group photo of herself with her young cousin, Katie, alongside a team of nurses and her EastEnders co-star Danny Dyer.
In her caption, Bright explained that Katie is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and is being treated at University College Hospital in London.
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"This picture was actually taken back in September before Katie started her treatment. Danny and I went to say hi to her and all the other amazing young people on the ward (not to mention the nurses that are HEROES!!)" Bright wrote.
"Katie has a little brother Myles, who is also undergoing treatment for ALL. He is nearly two years in. It’s almost unheard of for siblings to have the same leukaemia as there is not supposed to be any genetic link."
Bright continued: "As you can imagine, it’s been really hard for them as a family to just keep going. I am SO in awe of them and the courage they have shown (not just Myles and Katie, but mum and dad, nanna and grandad). We are all keeping our fingers crossed that they will both be at home for Christmas."
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Bright asked her followers to send some love to Katie, who she clarified knew about the post, and asked people to think about those "battling cancer this Christmas".
The post was indeed flooded with love for Katie, including from some of Bright's co-stars. Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, wrote: "Sending you all of my love Katie!"
Dyer joined Bright in the visit to the hospital as the two have become friends off-screen after acting together for so long. Sadly, however, Dyer is leaving EastEnders and Bright's Linda will be without Mick Carter for the first time ever.
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
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