Kellie Finlayson Fights Cancer Battle Amid Skeptics and Comparisons
Kellie Finlayson, the wife of Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson, continues her public battle against stage-four bowel cancer while dealing with the cruel skepticism surrounding her illness. Finlayson has faced comparisons to Belle Gibson, a notorious Australian conwoman known for falsely claiming to have cancer.
Comparisons to Belle Gibson
Cruel comments and supposed skepticism often plague Kellie Finlayson’s journey. Some detractors have likened her to Belle Gibson, who fabricated a story about having brain cancer in 2015 to gain attention and donations. Gibson’s lies caused significant distress to many genuine patients and their families.
Gibson’s deception escalated to the point where she was featured in the popular Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, which explores the impact of her fraudulent claims. The series brought back harsh memories of her manipulative behavior and the pain it inflicted on numerous individuals.
Kellie Finlayson’s Resilience
Finlayson, a mother of one and an inspiration to many, has been transparent about her health journey on social media. Her 62,000 Instagram followers know well the challenges she has faced, from undergoing chemotherapy to dealing with false accusations. Finlayson’s strength and openness in sharing her story have touched the hearts of countless supporters.
Finlayson recently took to her social media to address the comparisons to Belle Gibson explicitly. She shared an image of Gibson’s infamous 2015 60 Minutes interview and captioned it, “You wicked evil woman. Disgusting.” This bold action highlights the depth of Finlayson’s frustration with those who trivialize her illness.
Finlayson elaborated on her feelings, stating, “I know I’m in the majority of people that hate this woman, and I won’t even say her name, because she’s gotten too much attention brought to her.” She expressed her strong feelings towards Gibson, emphasizing that she only feels this hatred because of the pain Gibson caused to real people suffering from cancer.
The Impact of Belle Gibson’s Lies
Gibson’s lies not only affected her but also had a profound impact on genuine cancer patients. The documentary series and public attention surrounding Gibson have reignited the pain for those who once felt genuine empathy for her. Finlayson’s frustration is compounded by the frequent comparisons to Gibson, especially since she regularly seeks alternative therapies for her condition.
Finlayson’s experience mirrors those of many others who struggle with cancer, feeling like their genuine struggles are being minimized or discredited. The exposure of Gibson’s lies through high-profile media attention has inadvertently reinforced these feelings among cancer patients who have genuine battles to fight.
A Future of Hope
Amidst the adversity, Finlayson remains resilient and hopeful. She has announced the launch of a book, titled There Must Be More, scheduled for April. This book is set to be a personal account of her journey, offering insights and inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
Finlayson expressed her pride in sharing her story, despite her initial confusion and self-doubt. “Yet I’m still so confused everyday as to why my story is worthy of being literally printed in a book?!” she reflected. However, she recognized the impact her story could have on others, stating, “Deep down, I know this is bigger than me. This is for those who have faced devastation, for those who feel alone, for those who no longer have a voice to share their story.”
