Health
Julie Urges More Lung Cancer Action After Husband Sean's Death
Julie Kelly, 62, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is urging more action on lung cancer diagnosis and treatment after her husband Sean, 59, died nine months after being diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer in February 2025. Sean, an elite athlete who ran marathons and raised over £20,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust, was diagnosed after struggling to breathe during a run.
Doctors gave a prognosis of 10 to 12 months with treatment, but he died nine months later despite chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Before his death, Sean visited 10 Downing Street to discuss lung cancer screening, calling it one of the saddest and most proud moments of his life. Julie, who met Sean in 1985 while working at the Grand Hotel in Scarborough, described him as fit and healthy, with no prior health issues.
His final marathon was the Chester Marathon in October 2024, where he represented England in 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 3 seconds. After a holiday in Thailand, he saw his GP in January 2025, and a CT scan in early February revealed lung cancer, later confirmed as stage four small-cell lung cancer with lesions in his kidneys and liver. Julie said, We want more to be done around this.
Source: Independent Lifestyle