A young Narrabri woman with terminal cancer who met NRL star Beau Ryan in hospital last week has died surrounded by her friends and family.
Kia Lettice, 22, from Narrabri in New South Wales, was given only hours to live last week after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer.
“It saddens me to announce that Kia Louise Lettice, my beautiful angel has passed, ” her mother Patti wrote in a Facebook post last night.
“She passed peacefully in her sleep and with loved ones around,” the post read.
After doctors last week gave the 22-year-old her grim prognosis, her best friend Mahalia Murphy posted a callout to Facebook pleading for Beau Ryan to pay a visit.
“URGENT REQUEST!!! Any assistance to boost my friend up? She is currently in Prince of Wales Hospital and has roughly four hours to live as she’s fighting cancer. She wants Greg Inglis or Beau Ryan to come see her. If everyone can share this or get in contact for me this would be much appreciated,” Ms Murphy wrote.
Minutes later the NRL Footy Show host saw the message and posted he was on his way, telling his sick fan to “stay strong”.
Two hours later, Ryan arrived and spent some time with his fan.
After he left the hospital, Ms Murphy posted another message to Facebook thanking the former West Tigers and Sharks player for his time.
“Thanks to everyone for making this special moment happen,” Ms Murphy wrote.
“Beau Ryan you are a true legend man. Can’t thank you enough for this moment.”
Ms Murphy updated her Facebook page last night with the heart breaking news that her friend had died.
“She has touched a lot of people’s hearts around the world and is now pain free and in better hands with the man above and her passed loved ones,” she wrote.
“No one will ever forget your big bright blue eyes & your big beautiful smile! Fly high beautiful girl and watch over your loved ones. You left this world with a bang sister!”
Ms Lettice did not allowed her cancer diagnoses to hinder her life and spent her last few weeks being treated to an array of activities including a trip to Sydney where she enjoyed a VIP night at a concert and a suite in a hotel surrounded by her closest friends.
The young woman also participated in a princess themed photo shoot after being inspired by a fellow cancer patient.
“I decided to dress like a princess too and I must say it does take a lot of courage to do something like this as you lose a lot of confidence within yourself but I have now learnt to love and accept myself for the way I am now and embrace every moment,” Ms Lettice wrote on Facebook at the time.
“Cancer is a horrible disease and people see the scars and physical side but don’t see and can’t see or understand the mental side of what’s going on!”
Patti Lettice has asked for her family’s privacy until details of the funeral are released.
